#Practical Teaching Tips Podcast

[richardtheteacher]

The Top Five Mistakes That Trainee High School Teachers Are Making

An article by Richard James Rogers (Award-Winning Author of The Quick Guide to Classroom Management and The Power of Praise: Empowering Students Through Positive Feedback). This blog post has been beautifully illustrated by Pop Sutthiya Lertyongphati. Anyone who is new to the teaching profession is bound to make mistakes. There’s so much to learn and so much is at stake: the future careers of…

[humayrakeya]

How To Choose A Spiritual Practice (For A Meaningful Life) | Janet Ettele

Unlock the secrets to a meaningful and fulfilling life with Janet Ettele as she dives deep into the power of spiritual practice. From Buddhist teachings to compassion and mindfulness, discover how intentional habits and ancient wisdom can transform your daily experience. Whether you're seeking peace, purpose, or personal growth, this episode offers inspiring insights and practical guidance to help you live with more awareness and joy.

✨ Learn how to integrate spiritual practice into your busy life ✨ Explore the importance of compassion in today’s world ✨ Hear Janet’s journey from musician to mindful author ✨ Discover the timeless wisdom of the Eightfold Path and joyous effort

#passionstruck #johnrmiles #intentionalliving #spiritual #spiritualjourney #spiritualroutine #mentalhealth #meditation #mindfulness

[reallytoosublime]

Unlock the secrets to a meaningful and fulfilling life with Janet Ettele as she dives deep into the power of spiritual practice. From Buddhist teachings to compassion and mindfulness, discover how intentional habits and ancient wisdom can transform your daily experience. Whether you're seeking peace, purpose, or personal growth, this episode offers inspiring insights and practical guidance to help you live with more awareness and joy.

✨ Learn how to integrate spiritual practice into your busy life ✨ Explore the importance of compassion in today’s world ✨ Hear Janet’s journey from musician to mindful author ✨ Discover the timeless wisdom of the Eightfold Path and joyous effort

👉 Don't forget to subscribe, like, and hit the bell so you never miss a powerful conversation.

[a-d-nox]

how can you glow up: your 10h - your public persona

here's the next hypothesis of how you can glow up using your venus persona. take a close look at your 10h!

paid reading options: astrology menu & cartomancy menu

enjoy my work? help me continue creating by tipping on ko-fi or paypal. your support keeps the magic alive!

10h aries (1°, 13°, 25°), 10h mars, and/or 10h ruler aspecting mars

define career goals

take initiative: initiate new projects, push forward in your career, and take bold steps toward achieving your professional goals.

action-oriented success: you’ll find that you can make progress quickly in your career when you’re proactive. use this momentum to advance in your field, whether through promotions, new opportunities, or recognition.

ambitious and goal-driven: you're determined to climb the career ladder. set clear goals, take calculated risks, and push yourself toward success.

build a reputation

project confidence: present yourself confidently in professional settings. whether it’s presenting ideas, networking, and/or taking charge in meetings, you’ll naturally draw attention.

leadership: mars gives you the courage to step into roles of authority and make decisions that others will follow. you can be a natural leader and motivate others with your energy.

embrace competition: you thrive in competitive environments and are motivated to prove your abilities. use this to your advantage in your career.

balance ambition

action toward legacy: you have the stamina and passion to work toward building something that lasts.

decisive moves: you’re likely to make bold, yet calculated decisions. trust your instincts and act decisively.

10h gemini (3°, 15°, 27°), 10h mercury, and/or 10h ruler aspecting mercury

define career goals

embrace variety: gemini thrives in roles that allow you to wear multiple hats. consider careers in media, education, marketing, writing, public relations, or technology - fields where communication and adaptability are key.

stay flexible: your career path doesn’t have to be linear. give yourself permission to explore different fields, projects, and/or interests. it's never too late learn new things... that being said...

lifelong learning: invest in expanding your knowledge and skill set. take courses, read, and stay curious about emerging trends in your field.

build a reputation

showcase your intelligence: this energy shines when you’re seen as knowledgeable and quick-witted. share insights, teach others, or present new ideas in your industry.

refine communication skills: whether it’s public speaking, writing, or networking, invest in becoming a proficient communicator.

embrace social media: use platforms to share your thoughts, connect with others, or even build a personal brand. a podcast, blog, or youtube channel could work especially well for you.

balance ambition

prioritize focus: curiosity can sometimes lead to scattered energy. use time management tools like task lists or productivity apps to stay organized.

practice mindfulness: with a mind always racing with ideas, grounding techniques like meditation or journaling can help you avoid burnout.

embrace breaks: allow yourself to step away and recharge when needed - you thrive on change, so even brief shifts in environment can boost your energy.

10h cancer (4°, 16°, 28°), 10h moon, and/or 10h ruler aspecting moon

define career goals

follow your emotional compass: think of roles where you can nurture, protect, and/or support others (ex: caregiving, teaching, counseling, creative fields, or advocacy).

create a safe space: aim for a work environment where you feel emotionally secure and valued.

build a reputation

lead with love: show your nurturing side in your professional relationships. be known for your reliability, emotional intelligence, and willingness to support others.

authenticity matters: lean into your vulnerability and emotional depth as strengths.

be approachable: this energy makes you relatable and warm. cultivate trust by being a good listener and showing understanding.

balance ambition

avoid over-nurturing: don’t let yourself become overly focused on caring for others at the expense of your own goals. set boundaries and prioritize your ambitions.

emotional resilience: this energy can be sensitive to public criticism. build inner confidence by focusing on your strengths and maintaining perspective.

work-life balance: your emotional health directly affects your productivity. create routines that allow for rest, family time, and self-care.

10h aquarius (12°, 24°), 10h uranus, and/or 10h ruler aspecting uranus

define career goals

innovate and rebel: you might find fulfillment in careers that are unconventional or ahead of their your. this could mean embracing technology, alternative industries, or positions that challenge the status quo.

pioneering spirit: you may be drawn to pioneering projects or cutting-edge fields where innovation is key. don’t be afraid to pursue new technologies, digital spaces, or progressive causes in your career.

reinvent yourself professionally: embrace reinvention and the possibility of sudden changes in your professional life.

build a reputation

align with your unique self: your public image and career should reflect your true, individual nature. don’t conform to societal expectations if they don’t align with your true desires.

challenge conventional norms: trust this impulse, as it can lead to innovative achievements and greater personal satisfaction.

create a unique professional identity: you may stand out from the crowd, and that’s a strength. cultivate a professional identity that is distinctly yours, and don’t be afraid to express your individuality through your work or public image.

balance ambition

career shifts: your career path may be marked by sudden changes, disruptions, or unexpected opportunities. while this may feel unsettling at times, these shifts often lead to growth and progress. learn to embrace the unexpected.

flexibility is key: rigidity is not your friend. be open to change, and stay flexible with your professional goals. opportunities might appear suddenly, so adaptability is crucial.

breakthrough moments: you may experience moments of sudden insight or a flash of inspiration that leads to breakthroughs in your career. trust your intuition and be ready to act when these moments arise.

10h nn and/or 10h ruler aspecting nn

define career goals

embrace your public role: build a meaningful career or life purpose that contributes to society. this may feel uncomfortable at first, but growth happens outside your comfort zone.

take responsibility: own your actions and decisions. success with this placement comes from being reliable, consistent, and committed to your goals.

have big ambitions: you’re meant to focus on long-term goals and create a legacy. dream big and work toward achievements that will stand the test of time.

build a reputation

get comfortable being seen: step out of the shadows - start sharing your voice and talents with the world.

develop a professional image: polish your public presence by curating your personal brand, whether that’s through social media, professional profiles, and/or networking.

own your achievements: never downplaying your successes - learn to celebrate them and share them confidently.

balance ambition

master time management: 10h requires discipline and structure to achieve your goals. use tools like planners, calendars, or apps to stay on track.

consistency is key: show up for your goals every day - over time, your efforts will compound into success.

learn from mentors: seek guidance from people who’ve already achieved what you’re aiming for. their insights can help you stay focused.

10h part of fortune and/or 10h ruler aspecting part of fortune

define career goals

find a career that brings joy: your greatest happiness comes from pursuing meaningful career goals or becoming recognized for your work.

define your mission: reflect on what kind of career feels truly aligned with your values and passions. you’re happiest when your work is purposeful and impactful.

be ambitious: the 10h rewards you for aiming high and committing to goals that will leave a lasting impression.

build a reputation

public recognition: your sense of fulfillment comes from being respected and acknowledged for your contributions. cultivate a professional image that reflects your authenticity, dedication, and skill.

leave a legacy: think long-term - how do you want to be remembered? focus on building something meaningful that reflects your talents and effort.

balance ambition

step into leadership: this placement often points to natural leadership abilities. don’t shy away from roles where you take charge, make decisions, or guide others.

be a role model: others may naturally look up to you for inspiration. lead with integrity, and you’ll find success comes easily.

learn from mentors: surround yourself with accomplished individuals who can guide you toward your goals and help you refine your ambitions.

10h ruler in the 5h

define career goals

infuse creativity into your career: with this placement, you thrive in fields that allow for artistic or creative expression, such as art, music, writing, fashion, theater, and/or design. even in non-creative industries, you’ll want to find ways to bring originality and fun into your work.

pursue your passion: you’ll feel most fulfilled in a career that aligns with your personal interests or hobbies. think about what lights you up and explore ways to turn that into a profession.

entertainment and performance: you may have natural talents in areas like acting, performing, and/or public speaking. if these fields interest you, don’t hesitate to put yourself out there.

build a reputation

leadership through fun: you’re well-suited to leadership roles where you can inspire others with your enthusiasm.

encourage creativity in others: you may excel as a mentor, teacher, or leader in fields like education, creative coaching, and/or team-building where you can bring out the best in others.

stand out publicly: your career may involve being in the spotlight or receiving recognition for your individuality and creativity.

balance ambition

work that doesn’t feel like work: you’re driven to create a professional life that feels enjoyable and fulfilling. you’re not someone who thrives in overly rigid or monotonous work environments.

create a balance between fun and productivity: while it’s important to find joy in your career, be mindful not to lose focus on long-term goals. blend fun with discipline for sustained success.

have ideas for new content? please use my “suggest a post topic” button! 

return to nox’s guide to metaphysics

return to nox's hypotheses

© a-d-nox 2025 all rights reserved

[what-even-is-thiss]

Free or Cheap Portuguese Learning Resources to Eat Feijoada to

I will update this list as I learn of any more useful ones. If you want general language learning resources check out this other post. This list is Portuguese specific. Find lists for other specific languages here.

For the purposes of this list "free" means something that is either totally free or has a useful free tier. "Cheap" is a subscription under $10USD a month, a software license or lifetime membership purchase under $100USD, or a book under $30USD. If you want to suggest a resource for this list please suggest ones in that price range that are of decent quality and not AI generated.

WEBSITES

Practice Portuguese - This website is European Portuguese specific. It has a lot of free lesson notes to read through and a free podcast. More in-depth lessons require a paid subscription that's a bit more on the expensive side. The website is available in multiple languages.

Learning Portuguese - A free website with beginner vocab and grammar lessons as well as reviews for different paid courses and country specific information. The website mostly focuses on European and African Portuguese but does have some stuff for Brazillian Portuguese. The website is in English.

Portuguese Government Sponsored eCourses - The Portuguese government's institute for promoting Portuguese language and culture has a few free online courses. An account is require to take the courses and the website can be viewed in English or Portuguese.

Portuguese With Leo - I have linked to this website's free resources page. The free resources seem more useful for beginner learners. He also has a few free video lessons. This website also provides courses for intermediate learners but they're pretty expensive. The website is available in English and Portuguese.

Portuguese With Eli - This website focuses on Brazilian Portuguese. There are paid courses and groups but there's also a lot of free articles and blog posts about grammar and vocabulary. The website is in English.

Really Learn Portuguese - This website focuses on Brazillian Portuguese. They have free lessons for beginners, a blog, and flashcard lists. They also have a paid tier at $4.50 a month with audio recordings, video lessons, and worksheets. The website is in English.

learnbrazilianportuguese.com - This website has a free English language blog with learning tips and a limited amount of free scheduled courses. They require you to create an account to view the entire site.

Ciberduvidas - A website with explanations of more complex concepts in the language. The website is entirely in Portuguese.

YOUTUBE CHANNELS

Learn Portuguese Today - A channel aimed at beginners with information on vocabulary and grammar. The channel is mainly in English and the channel host is from Portugal.

Decoding Words - A channel with lessons for beginners and detailed breakdowns of different clips of native speakers talking. The channel is mostly in English and the channel host is from Brazil.

Easy Portuguese - A channel part of the easy languages network that has a combination of videos with useful phrases for beginners and interviews on the street with people in Brazil. Their videos have dual language subtitles in Portuguese and English.

Portuguese Tune - A newer channel that seems to be posting regularly. It’s a comprehensible input channel in European Portuguese for beginner to lower intermediate learners. The host teaches entirely in Portuguese and uses a whiteboard and other visual aids.

Portuguese With Cristina - A channel aimed at intermediate learners with videos and podcasts on a variety of topics. The channel is entirely in European Portuguese.

Teach Yourself Portuguese - A channel with podcasts, listening practice, and grammar videos for absolute beginner to intermediate learners. Videos are in Brazilian Portuguese.

Talk the Streets - A channel with pronunciation and learning tips and useful phrases in different subjects. The host teaches European Portuguese but herself speaks Portuguese as a second language. The channel is mostly in English.

Plain Portuguese - This channel has a lot of videos on grammar and vocabulary and also offers explanations of scenes from tv and movies. The host is from Brazil and uses a combination of English and Portuguese.

Speaking Brazilian - This channel has a lot of tips on grammar, vocab, and pronunciation and appears to be aimed at beginner to intermediate learners. Videos are all in Brazilian Portuguese and have dual language Portuguese and English subtitles onscreen.

READING PRACTICE

Read Brazilian Portuguese - A website with short articles in Brazilian Portuguese. Each article has comprehension questions and a list of key vocab words. The website is in a mix of Portuguese and English.

Portuguese Reading Comprehension Texts - A graded reader for beginners with 30 different texts on a variety of different topics. The link leads to the Harvard bookstore to buy the book for $12. I also saw it used on Amazon for $10.

Short Stories in Brazilian Portuguese by Olly Richards - This book ranges from $5-$15 depending on the format. Every chapter has comprehension questions and a vocab list. You can also find it used for cheaper.

Portuguese With Luciana - This website has a few free short stories for beginners and upper beginners.

Graded Readers by Susana Morais - This author has written short stories and mystery stories for learners from absolute beginner to upper intermediate and her books are organized by CEFR level. The books are about $25 each new but I’ve seen them as low as $4 used.

PODCASTS

Brazilian Talk - A podcast about language and culture for intermediate to advanced learners. The podcast is entirely in Brazilian Portuguese.

Easy Portugués - A podcast entirely in Brazilian Portuguese for intermediate to advanced learners. The hosts discuss a variety of topics and give tips on how to sound more natural when speaking.

Portuguese With Carla - A free beginner audio course in European Portuguese.

Portuguese Lab - A podcast entirely in European Portuguese about various topics for A1 and A2 beginner and upper beginner learners on the CEFR scale.

Todo Mundo Pod - This website has two podcasts. One partially in English that has tips for learners and one fully in Brazilian Portuguese. They also have a blog and the website is available in Portuguese and English.

Fala Gringo - A podcast fully in Brazillian Portuguese that goes over various cultural topics for intermediate level learners.

SELF STUDY TEXTBOOKS AND DICTIONARIES

Basic Portuguese from Mcgraw Hill - A textbook that is also a workbook. It's generally $20 for the print edition and $10 for the digital edition.

Gramática portuguesa - A Portuguese grammar textbook entirely in Portuguese. This same publisher also has a general course called Portugués fácil. The books go for somewhere between $20-$25 new but cheaper digital and used versions are available.

Brazilian Portuguese For dummies - The for dummies series has one of the cheaper self study books for Portuguese. A new copy at full price is about $25 but older editions and used copies also go for cheaper.

The Oxford New Portuguese Dictionary - This is an older edition but it's also only $9 and there are used copies for sale. Newer editions are around $13.

Português para principiantes - This is an online book of free study material from the University of Wisconson-Madison

KIDS SHOWS

Turma da Mônica

Irmão do Jorel

Peiexonauta

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing a "Narcissistic" Character

Narcissist - an entitled and sometimes arrogant and manipulative person who primarily views other people as means to their own ends.

Some narcissists might come across as unpleasant, but others are charismatic and engaging until you cross them.

A covert narcissist like this might shift from acting like a charming adult to throwing a temper tantrum when they realize you won’t give in to their demands.

You might find you encounter more narcissists in fields centered around competition or winning.

For example, a well-meaning entrepreneur might come across a competitor or colleague with an extremely inflated sense of self—and this might present speed bumps for both parties.

Similarly, family law and divorce lawyers come across many people exhibiting narcissistic traits in their personal lives and must negotiate with that in mind.

As a caveat, although you might be able to accurately theorize as to whether or not someone possesses narcissistic tendencies, you should leave diagnosing someone with an actual narcissistic personality disorder to a professional.

Key Narcissistic Traits

You can spot narcissistic traits if you know what to look for specifically. Some qualities to keep in mind to identify narcissism:

Innate sense of entitlement: Everyone wants things to go their way if possible, but narcissists expect them to at all times and at all costs. The average person is willing to compromise and anticipates delayed rather than instant gratification in many scenarios. A narcissist, by contrast, expects everyone to be a willing contributor to their happiness all day, every day, no matter the extenuating circumstances. Psychologists call this endless drive for gratification at the expense of others “narcissistic supply.”

Inflated view of self: It’s one thing to be confident, it’s quite another to think you’re the most important person in the room at all times. Someone with narcissistic tendencies expects everyone to treat them like a king or queen. They often fall into delusions of grandeur and bouts of self-mythologizing to justify why people need to bow to their whims at all times.

Lack of empathy: Narcissistic abuse is common due to the lack of empathy such an attitude engenders. When someone considers their needs above anyone else’s, it makes them less likely to understand other people and more likely to hurt others to get what they want.

Prone toward manipulation: If you’re dealing with a narcissist, expect them to pull out manipulative tricks to get you to do what they want. This might mean gaslighting, belittling, or outright lying to you in the interest of throwing you off balance and getting you to succumb to their demands.

How to Negotiate With a Narcissist

Navigating the negotiation process with a narcissist might be difficult, but it’s definitely doable. Remember these tips as you advocate for yourself with someone who cares more about their own ego:

Iron out concrete details. Before entering a negotiation scenario with a narcissist, sit down and ask what you want out of the negotiations. Try journaling or filling out a worksheet to help you figure out your needs. You can also rely on third parties to help you do this more effectively. For example, if you’re trying to leave a narcissistic spouse, your divorce attorney can assist on this front.

Play to their narcissistic tendencies. To get what you want from a narcissist, sometimes you have to give them what they desire most: adoration. Of course, you can merely feign this sense of awe—stroking their ego with the knowledge you’re only doing so as a negotiation tactic. For example, suppose you’re in law school dealing with a narcissistic professor who has a track record of grading final exams unfairly unless a student praises their teaching. In this scenario, you could tell them you appreciated their lecture or you listened to their podcast as you leave class one day to get them on your side.

Practice emotional detachment. Negotiating with a narcissist can get ugly. Devaluing and abusing other people is one of the central tools in a narcissist’s arsenal. Especially if you’re in an emotional situation already��like a divorce case—it’s paramount to try to practice as much mindful detachment as you can. Remind yourself their words do not define you or reflect reality. For that matter, in this scenario, you can also rely in part on other parties to do your negotiating for you—that’s a major reason people pay attorney’s fees in the first place.

Stand your ground. Even if you grit your teeth and stroke a narcissist’s ego to get a concession at times, it’s important to stand your ground and maintain your sense of self. Always negotiate like you matter—because you do, regardless of any abuse they might hurl your way. Narcissists, at their root, are often very insecure—and your self-awareness and confidence can trump these insecurities in a negotiation scenario. Remind yourself you are strong and your own well-being is your first priority—this way, you can leave interactions like this knowing your pride and your feelings of self-worth are still intact.

Source ⚜ More: Writing Notes & References ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

[chapelofmyheart]

{ Tips for † Becoming Christian }

ᶠᵒʳ ᵃⁿʸ ᵈᵉⁿᵒᵐⁱⁿᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ

🕯 This is probably obvious but get a bible. If you can't get a physical bible for awhile or at all, get an app version. YouVersion is the best choice for a digital bible, it has a lot of features and versions.

🕯 Even though this should already be in practice, try humbling yourself. This can be very hard to do because it is hard to control thoughts and emotions sometimes but struggling while trying is better than not trying at all.

🕯 Pray everyday. This doesn't have to be extreme if you don't want it to be, at least make a rountine of praying every morning and night. If you struggle to pray out loud, try starting a prayer journal.

🕯 Focus on the present. Worrying about the future too much can cause a lot of anxiety and loss of faith in God's work, God is already working on your future and you can work through it with Him. Don't feel bad if you catch yourself worrying though, everyone goes through it so don't feel ashamed. The same goes for the past as well, the past has already gone by and there is nothing you can do about it, let it go and focus on what God has in store for you now.

🕯 Learn about saints, even if you're Protestant. Saints have amazing stories which can inspire and teach you how to grow closer to God and live a more holy life. Saints were people too so they can be relatable as they experienced the same struggles we experience.

🕯 Be modest. This doesn't mean you have to get an entire new wardrobe, modesty can come from actions as well. Honor and represent Christ in your behavior. Choose kindness and respect over anger and recklessness.

🕯 Work on not being lazy. It's ok to rest from time to time but don't revolve your life around it. You achieve more by doing things even if it's as simple as doing chores, reading, cooking, drawing, etc. This is a big thing to remember if you have a job or attend school, do not slack at either of these. You don't gain wisdom by laying around.

🕯 Engage in spiritual media. This can include books, videos, podcasts, etc. These are great sources of education on theology and learning how to live a more holy life. A book that I have been reading that I would recommend is The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism.

🕯 If you are looking to become Catholic, buy a rosary. For Orthodox, buy a prayer rope. These help you start getting the hang of meditating during prayer.

🕯 If you can, set up a prayer corner. This will give you a space dedicated to the Lord, as well as a visual reminder to pray. It doesn't have to be super fancy but make sure you respect the space.

🕯 Make sure to practice gratitude. Sometimes we can forget how lucky we are when we see others with things we want or when something goes wrong. We must remember that the situations we live in and the belongings we possess, is a dream to someone else. Do not be greedy for the belongings of others because whatever it is that they have, belongs to them. Give to the poor and to the ill and also pray for them so that they can get the help that they need.

[official-wales]

Any advice for first language English speakers trying to learn Welsh?

sacrifice yourself to y ddraig goch and ascend into her kingdom of fire

Diolch yn fawr iawn! I'm a second language South Walian myself, so my Welsh is gonna be different to a first language North Walian, for example. But, we roll with it.

Start small

I don't know if you're in Wales, or elsewhere, but just introducing little Welsh phrases is a good place to start, like greetings. Don't worry about making mistakes, or being misunderstood. Everyone will know what you mean, and most people will be pleased you're using Welsh!

Hello - Shwmae/Helo

Good bye - Hwyl fawr

How are you? - Sut dych chi? (very formal), Sut wyt ti? (less formal)

Thank you (very much) - Diolch (yn fawr)

Please - O's gwelwch yn dda

Good morning - Bore da

Good afternoon - Prynhawn da

Good night - Nos da

Welcome - Croeso

If you ARE in Wales, look out for people wearing little orange speech mark badges in public places, like shops. These mean they are fluent, or learning Welsh, and will be happy to talk with you in the language.

2. Understanding pronunciation

Sometimes English speakers get tripped up by Welsh spelling, especially when mutations are involved. You've probably heard the old "it's just a keyboard smash language!", when honestly Welsh makes more sense than English (every letter is pronounced the same every time, unlike English, where it's a lottery).

Here's some major-ish differences to the English alphabet:

a - "ah" (apple)

ch - like a gutteral cat hiss? Or like you're trying to get phlegm out of the back of your throat.

dd - "th" (these)

e - "eh" (elephant)

f - "v" (velcro)

ff - "f" (fantastic)

i - "ee" (queen)

ll - like you're blowing air out the side of your tongue, while the tip is just behind your teeth. May take some practice, but it's a VERY common sound

r - roll that letter, baby. like an Italian

rh - like a breathy r. Use your teeth

u - "ih" (hit)

w - "ooh" (spoon)

y - "uh" (under) or sometimes "ih" (inside)

(there is no j, k, q or v in the Welsh alphabet. But that doesn't stop some anglicised words like "jam")

3. Mutations

Mutations are ways Welsh words change, depending on what comes before or after them. There are loads of mutations, but you can be understood without using them/forgetting them, so don't worry too much. They're quite easy to learn too.

For example:

Diflas - Boring

Mae Owen yn ddiflas - Owen is boring

The 'd' changes to a 'dd'. Because mutations. Don't ask me why.

Here's a guide to mutations that can explain it better than I can.

4. Find some sick Welsh media

Maybe you're into podcasts, or soap operas, or rock music, or food blogs, or children's books, or Eisteddfod poetry, or-

HERE'S SOME HANDPICKED STUFF FROM YOURS TRULY:

Hansh on Twitter, YouTube and iPlayer - comedy and more platform. Quite random.

Adwaith - Welsh-language, all-female, indie rock band from Carmarthenshire. Won the Welsh Music Prize in 2022.

Duolingo Welsh course - Recently, Duolingo announced they were going to stop updating the course, which led to some BIG OUTCRIES in Welsh news. Worth looking in to.

Learn Welsh - resources, schemes, audiobooks and more to help people learn Welsh in a way that suits them. 16-25 year olds can learn for free. You can book face to face lessons, online self-learning, learn with other learners, search courses near you and loads of other stuff. Good to explore.

Ap Treiglo and Ap Geiriadur - free apps to help with mutations and vocabulary. Ap Geiriadur is designed by Bangor University.

Siarad - Voluntary scheme to help people increase their confidence using Welsh. You're matched with a fluent Welsh speaker, and can go through three levels of proficiency. You arrange to meet up, or learn online - whatever suits you!

S4C - The Welsh language broadcasting service. Has everything: news, Gogglebocs Cymru, drama, documentaries, you name it.

Doctor Cymraeg - really successful tiktok and instagram account. Teaches about bitesized Welsh language facts, vocabulary and funny things. Also always films them when out on a walk, with the expression of a high school teacher who's just watched his pupils try and fail to make the leaning tower of pisa out of gluesticks. Classic.

5. TYMBLR

There are LOADS of people learning Welsh on here for the first time, and interacting with them is one of the best ways to get into the language online. #dysgu cymraeg is a good tag.

Sorry for the long post, but ta da! I am by no means an expert, but with your help anon, we can get everyone speaking Welsh by nightfall. The plan is in motion. Godspeed.

[50sbabydo1l]

⟢ a low grade is only room for improvement. immediately ask to make up or redo anything, go over it and make sure you understand your mistake so you may improve in the future

⟢ play games like sudoku, word find, crosswords, chess, and puzzles, as they’re super stimulating for your brain

⟢ coffee coffee COFFEE 👏

⟢ hang out with people you look up to academically. if someone has perfect grades? befriend them. if someone is dostoevsky reincarnated? befriend them. therefore you can study together and help each other

⟢ even if they’re your friends, don’t let people copy all of your work. i know it’s hard but learn to say no politely

⟢ practice studying with your friends using the feynman technique, or pretend to be the teacher and teach each other

⟢ consider starting to play an instrument, it improves brain function and reduces stress

⟢ quit social media as much as you can !! if you are addicted to social media then i recommend making it study tips and queue your posts like i do

⟢ listen to podcasts, or even make your own podcast if you’d like

⟢ use quizlet + gizmo.ai to study for exams

⟢ i use notion and my own journal to organize all my classes

⟢ purchase textbooks for your classes, you can get a big fat notebook or anna’s archive

⟢ finish all of your assignments the moment you get home !! i cannot stress this enough

⟢ treat extra credit as an actual assignment, they are very important !

⟢ always pay attention to the rubric if there is one. make sure your assignment has every aspect mentioned in the rubric

[breelandwalker]

Sneak Preview of The Sisters Grimmoire Vol. II - Gilded Locks

So he went into the first room. A cauldron was hanging from the walls; it was boiling, but the Prince could see no fire under it. "I wonder what is inside it," he thought, and dipped a lock of his hair in, and the hair became just as if it were all made of copper. "That's a nice kind of soup. If anyone were to taste that his throat would be gilded," said the youth, and then he went into the next chamber. There, too, a cauldron was hanging from the wall, bubbling and boiling, but there was no fire under this either.

"I will just try what this is like too," said the Prince, thrusting another lock of his hair into it, and it came out silvered over. "Such costly soup is not to be had in my father's palace," said the Prince; "but everything depends on how it tastes," and then he went into the third room. There, too, a cauldron was hanging from the wall, boiling, exactly the same as in the two other rooms, and the Prince took pleasure in trying this also, so he dipped a lock of hair in, and it came out so brightly gilded that it shone again.

-The Master-Maid (The Blue Fairy Book)

-----

Intent: To braid wealth into the caster's hair.

Materials:

Hair long enough to braid

Copper, silver, and gold-colored embroidery floss

Rubber bands (if desired)

Ideal Timing: Waxing Moon is best, but this spell can be performed anytime.

Acquire three pieces of embroidery floss the same length as your hair. One should be copper, one should be silver, and one should be golden. Approximate as best you can; they don't need to be metallic, or to contain any of the actual precious metals. If desired, this can also be done with "fairy hair" or long strands of fine tinsel.

Align the three strands with a small lock of your hair. Knot the strands together around the lock, as close to your scalp as you can get it. (If you prefer, you can use a small rubber band for this step.)

Divide the small lock of your hair in half and braid, using the embroidery flosses as the third piece. Alternatively, you can divide the lock into thirds and match one piece of floss to each strand. Tie everything off together at the end. If you'd like to make a larger braid, you can add additional pieces of floss, so long as there are equal numbers of each color. For a fun touch, you can dab some Amber oil onto the embroidery floss before braiding, or add a lucky charm to the end when you've finished.

Leave the braid in until the night of the Full Moon, or until the desired financial boost manifests itself, whichever comes first.

This spell is geared toward individuals with hair that is long enough to hold a braid, but this is not a requirement. In the absence of long hair, you can weave in a piece of sewing thread the same color as your hair (whatever that happens to be). Wet the thread with your saliva and allow it to dry before braiding. This will tie the charm to you the same way a piece of your hair would. Wear the finished braid around your wrist or ankle until the wish manifests itself or the braid breaks and falls off.

-from the forthcoming book, The Sisters Grimmoire, Vol. II; © 2021 Bree NicGarran

(If you’re enjoying my content, please feel free to drop a little something in the tip jar, tune in to my monthly show Hex Positive on your favorite podcast app, or check out my published works on Amazon or in the Willow Wings Witch Shop. 😊)

More Fairy Tale Spells:

[santmat]

Tips for the Gnostic Spiritual Seeker

@ YouTube: Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcast:

https://youtu.be/K4n24UirOIQ

@ Apple Podcasts: 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tips-for-the-gnostic-spiritual-seeker/id1477577384?i=1000702975093

@ Spotify: 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1T60bXczQT4rvKfe4ii1sZ

@ Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcast - Play or Direct Download MP3: 

https://traffic.libsyn.com/spiritualawakeningradio/Tips_for_the_Gnostic_Spiritual_Seeker.mp3

@ the Podcast Website - Permalink URL - With Buttons That Take You To the Popular Podcast APPS - Wherever You Follow Podcasts: 

https://SpiritualAwakeningRadio.libsyn.com/tips-for-the-gnostic-spiritual-seeker

@ LinkTree -- Wherever You Follow Podcasts - At Your Favorite Podcast APP Just Do a Search for "Spiritual Awakening Radio" (Youtube, Youtube Music, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, I Heart Radio, Audible/Amazon Music and Podcasts, Pocketcasts, Overcast, PodBean, Jio Saavan, etc...): 

https://linktr.ee/SpiritualAwakeningRadio

"Gnostic" is such an abused word, hijacked and repurposed by content creators. It's important to know what Gnosticism IS as well as what it IS NOT. On the web is much, what I call, 'gnostic nonsense' (gnonsense). People call all sorts of subjects "gnostic". Apparently everything's gnostic except actual Gnosticism. THAT, most don't have time for. THAT, remains the forbidden topic, the mystery always concealed as souls prefer the shiny things of distraction. Time to rebel against the archon occupation! In this online world of clickbait sensationalism and exploitation can the teachings of gnostic spirituality along with their ancient texts be appreciated instead of distorted by influencers? 

My take is simply to let the gnostics be gnostic, treating them equally like any other world religion and understand just what exactly the original spiritual movements labeled "gnostic" actually taught based on what they themselves have to say about that, and not what other esoteric groups coming into being many centuries or millennia later assume they taught cooking in their own particular theological and cultic cultural cauldron of biases in Europe or the US. As I view the saga of the gnostics -- the treatment of the true classic Nag Hammadi gnostics of antiquity -- the only solution is to let the gnostics be gnostic, truly hear their voices embedded in the surviving texts that come directly from them, and allow them to speak for themselves, define their own beliefs, diet, and spiritual practices. 

Then others may truly benefit from their wisdom, and in that sense Gnosticism as a spiritual path can potentially reincarnate into the world again, or far more likely and best of all, help spiritual seekers of authenticity recognize those who already may be following a Living Gnosis Now in the modern age. (Spirit: πνεῦμα)

Today we explore: The Gnostic Gospels: A History of the Destruction of Wisdom; 

The Dry Canals Where Gnostic Waters Never Flow; 

Recommended Reading - Free Books Online; 

The Three Kinds of People There Are in the World According to the Valentinian Gnostics; 

Hedonists and Gnostic Cave-dwellers Somewhere in Time; 

Weird Christianities From Other Places and Timelines With Their Own Gospels and Unique Spiritualities -- I say "weird" Christianities. I mean in this a good way, as in fascinating, valuable sources of wisdom, mostly hidden, ignored and forgotten. The scriptures of the East and West I enjoy the most are books hardly anyone has ever heard of. (Lord of the Soul: राधास्वामी) 

Yes, Yes, Yes, Nag Hammadi is where they found the Gnostic Gospels but within you is where you will find the gnosis. What Spiritual Practice is About -- The Altered State of Meditation According to Gnostics, Masters, Saints and Mystics; 

In Divine Love (Bhakti), Light, and Sound, At the Feet of the Masters, 

James Bean

A Satsang Without Walls

Light and Sound on The Path

Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts

Santmat Satsang Podcasts

Sant Mat Radhasoami

Spiritual Awakening Radio Website: 

https://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com

[thatgentlewife]

Hi! I'm an (adult!!) woman who has always identified as a lesbian but has recently realised it isn't right for me. However I really have no experience with... well, anything!! Do you happen to know what kinds of places I would be able to find support on my journey? Secular or traditional are welcome!

Hello! Thank you for opening up and sharing such a significant step in your journey. It’s clear that you’re seeking a life aligned with truth, love, and purpose, and that is such a beautiful thing. You are not alone in this, and there are so many resources and people who can walk alongside you. I’ll do my best to encourage you and point you to some helpful tools and communities for traditional living, faith, and relationships! (I will include Christian and secular resources 🤍)

Types of Christianity: Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox

Each Christian tradition has unique practices and teachings, but all center on Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Here’s a quick overview and resources for exploring these branches of faith:

Protestant: This includes many denominations like Baptists, Methodists, and non-denominational churches. They emphasize a personal relationship with Jesus and studying the Bible directly.

• Resource: The book Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis is a wonderful starting point.

• Website: GotQuestions.org provides clear answers to many theological questions.

Catholic: The Catholic Church places a strong emphasis on tradition, sacraments, and the leadership of the Pope.

• Resource: Scott Hahn’s Rome Sweet Home is a beautiful introduction to Catholicism.

• Website: Catholic Answers is a rich resource for understanding the Catholic faith.

Orthodox: Orthodox Christianity emphasizes liturgy, the Church Fathers, and deep spirituality.

• Resource: The Orthodox Way by Kallistos Ware is an excellent introduction.

• Website: Ancient Faith Ministries offers podcasts, articles, and books.

I encourage you to visit different churches and see where God is leading you! ❤️

Romantic Relationships (Christian Based)

Godly relationships reflect His love: they are selfless, patient, kind, and rooted in mutual respect. They encourage growth in faith and prioritize purity and honesty. Ephesians 5:25-33 beautifully describes how love in marriage mirrors Christ’s love for the Church.

From my personal experience, I also once identified as a lesbian and felt confused about love and relationships. It wasn’t until I fully surrendered my heart to God that He gently reshaped my understanding of love. Through prayer and seeking Him, He led me to my now husband. Our marriage is filled with joy and purpose because it’s centered on Christ. God is so faithful, and He will guide you too!

Traditional Living and Homemaking (Christian based)

Living a traditional lifestyle and embracing homemaking can be deeply fulfilling and aligned with God’s design. Here are some resources to guide you:

Books:

• The Life-Giving Home by Sally and Sarah Clarkson: A lovely guide to creating a Christ-centered home.

• The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace: A biblical perspective on being a godly wife.

Content Creators:

• This Lovely Little Farmhouse on Instagram: Practical tips for homemaking and traditional living.

• YouTube channels like Farmlife Outfitters and The Transformed Wife provide inspiration and encouragement.

Websites:

• Homemaking Ministries: Resources for Christian homemakers.

• Proverbs 31 Ministries: Encouragement for living a Christ-centered life.

Traditional Living and Homemaking (Secular)

Books:

• The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking: Focuses on creating a cozy, intentional home life.

• Atomic Habits by James Clear: Helps establish routines and habits that support a balanced lifestyle.

• The Modern Guide to Homemaking by Louise Perkins: A practical guide to homemaking for modern women.

YouTube Channels:

• Darling Desi: A focus on slow living, homemaking, and romanticizing daily routines.

• The Feminine Fancy: Offers content on elegance, femininity, and traditional values in modern contexts.

• Inspired by Nikki: Encourages traditional homemaking and creating a peaceful home

Podcasts:

• Simple Life Project: Discusses homemaking, sustainability, and creating a fulfilling life.

• A Farmish Kind of Life: Explores rural living, homemaking, and self-reliance.

Healthy Traditional Relationships

Books:

• Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus by John Gray: A classic on understanding and improving relationships.

• Boundaries in Dating by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend: A Christian book with principles that are widely applicable.

• The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman: Learn how to give and receive love effectively.

Articles and Blogs:

• The Gottman Institute (gottman.com): Science-based relationship advice and tools for building healthy partnerships.

• ModernMrsDarcy.com: A blog about relationships, homemaking, and personal growth.

YouTube Channels and Influencers:

• Feminine Not Feminist: Discusses relationships, femininity, and

Encouragement and Support

Know that this journey is not about perfection but about drawing closer to God daily. He sees your heart and loves you deeply. Surround yourself with others who will support your faith and values.

• Local Churches: Many offer women’s groups or Bible studies where you can find community and mentorship.

• Podcasts: Journeywomen and Set Apart Girl are wonderful for encouragement.

God has such a beautiful plan for your life, and He will walk with you every step of the way. If you’d like prayer or more guidance, I’m here for you! Wishing you the best in your traditional journey, regardless of your faith 🙏❤️

With love,

Thatgentlewife

[onwacollective]

I created this Womb Healing Masterpost a year or so ago. Since then, I’ve continued to grow this list of resources, adding more info as I learn it. Every book, interview, podcast on the list I’ve read or listened to and found useful in my own healing. But I realize all this info can be overwhelming, confusing, and time consuming to get through to create the real change needed to balance your hormones. So, I’ve created cycle syncing wallpaper habit reminders to support women and menstruating individuals in balancing their hormones HERE.

How to use:

These are specifically created for the 80% of women experiencing hormonal imbalance. I’ve designed them to make integrating the information and ancestral wisdom needed to balance hormones easily accessible. Switch each wallpaper background as you transition through each phase of your cycle. Every time you glance at your phone you get a reminder of what to focus on at a specific point in your cycle.

Each wallpaper contains:

🌟 A hormonal phase specific grocery list informed by the Autoimmune protocol (AIP) which means it excludes largely known gut irritants like nuts, seeds, beans, eggs, nightshade vegetables etc.

🌟 A list of herbal teas specific to the needs of each hormonal phase

🌟 A list of self-care practices specific to each hormonal phase

🌟 A journaling prompt

🌟 An affirmation

🌟 Basic overview of the hormonal changes occurring within the body during each phase

🌟 A list of vitamins/minerals to focus on in each phase (grocery list includes foods that contain these vitamins/minerals!)

🌟 Best care practices and tips for each phase

I have a vision of these hanging as posters in schools to teach children about the changes in each cycle. I wanted to make balancing hormones so easy that teenage me could do it. The info on the habit reminders connects to the practices and teachings described in the original tumblr post so if you ever want to dive deeper into a segment of info you can. You can find more info on how to download HERE.

If we let it, womb healing can be a beautiful initiation into feminine power. Be gentle with yourself 💗

[coolcatteacher]

11 Simple Hacks for Teachers to Save Time | Dr. Desiree Alexander

Are you a teacher feeling overwhelmed by endless tasks and struggling to find time for what truly matters—your students? In this episode of The 10 Minute Teacher Podcast, Dr. Desiree Alexander, an award-winning educator and consultant, shares 11 practical time management hacks every teacher can use to reclaim their time and reduce stress.

📋 Show Notes: Access the full show notes and links mentioned in this episode at coolcatteacher.com/e879.

��� About Dr. Desiree Alexander: Dr. Desiree Alexander is the Founder and CEO of Educator Alexander Consulting, LLC, and the Deputy Director for the Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana. With over two decades of experience in education, she is an award-winning speaker, consultant, and advocate for teachers. Her work focuses on empowering educators with practical strategies and tools to thrive in their profession.

📧 Subscribe to the Cool Cat Teacher Newsletter: Stay up-to-date with inspiring teaching tips and resources by subscribing to our newsletter at coolcatteacher.com/newsletter.

📺 Watch on YouTube: Want to see more engaging content? Watch this episode and subscribe to our YouTube channel at youtube.com/coolcatteacher.

🎧 Where to Listen: Subscribe and listen to The 10 Minute Teacher Podcast on your favorite platforms.

  Classroom Organization Tips:

01:24 ⏳ 1. Get Organized  Declutter your workspace and avoid the dreaded “stack of death.” Set up a simple and functional filing system to make paperwork more manageable.

01:45 📂 2. Use a Simple Filing System  Whether digital or paper, having an easy-to-use system will keep your materials accessible and prevent last-minute scrambling.

02:15 📝 3. Empower Students to File Their Own Work  Save time by letting students take responsibility for filing their assignments. This simple step fosters organization skills and lightens your workload.

Personal Productivity Hacks:

03:02 📅 4. Plan Lessons Early to Reduce Last-Minute Stress Gather resources ahead of time—copies, books, manipulatives—to avoid scrambling when the copier inevitably breaks right before class.

05:03 👥 5. Have Multitasking Moments to Socialize and Get Work Done  Balance productivity with connection! Grade papers or file documents while chatting with colleagues, so you don’t have to take as much work home.

05:54 🚪 6. Close the Door and Minimize Distractions  Find a quiet space to focus during planning periods, so you can get work done efficiently without unnecessary interruptions.

06:10 🏡 7. Protect Your Peace and Work-Life Balance  Your well-being matters. Set limits on how much work you bring home, and make time for family, rest, and hobbies.

Technology and Task Management Tips

06:50 ✅ 8. Use the Answer, File, Delete (AFD) or Three D’s (Delegate, Dump, Do) Method  Prioritize your tasks by immediately answering, filing, or deleting emails. If it doesn’t need your attention, delegate or dump it!

08:03 📧 9. Use Email Tools Like Sweep to Stay Organized  Leverage email automation tools like Sweep to clear out old emails, filter messages, and keep your inbox manageable.

Important principles to remember as you manage your time

09:30�� 10. Put People First When Prioritizing Tasks  Before diving into your to-do list, check in with students and colleagues. Prioritizing people builds stronger relationships and improves your day.

10:21 🚧 11. Set Boundaries and Say No  Educators are natural people-pleasers, but overcommitting leads to burnout. Practice saying “no” and protect your time.

  Thank you for listening to the show! Subscribe to my newsletter at coolcatteacher.com/newsletter and let's connect on social @coolcatteacher wherever you connect! See you later educator!

New 10 Minute Teacher Podcast episode

[taysdorothea13]

cherry flushed cheeks

summary — after seeing baby wren through a difficult recovery from her last placement, taylor and travis find themselves with a sick baby and a lot of anxiety

Taylor sighed softly beneath bright moonlight, cascading waves slamming against the shorelines just beyond the frost dusted window she gazed out of longingly. Against her chest was a pitiful toddler with cherry flushed cheeks and tear-filled green eyes. One tiny hand held onto the strap of her pajama top tightly, but the other pulled at tiny earlobes interchangeably. 

It had been a long couple of days in the Swift-Kelce household. Rhode Island was peaceful. It always had been, but there was an additional comfort in the air now that there was something more to Taylor’s life. However, Rhode Island had not been as peaceful as she remembered this time around. Their first day home had been overtaken by an issue with the upstairs air conditioning unit, resulting in the nursery practically becoming a sauna and the master bedroom being a tundra. Their second day had been derailed by a lack of internet connection resulting in Travis getting a hotel room for the afternoon to film an episode of the podcast with Jason whilst Taylor juggled a toddler and an electrician by herself. And now, here they are, the third night back in High Watch and the baby that Taylor had spent her entire life waiting to love was sick and miserable against her chest. 

“Do you see the waves, Wrenny?” Taylor asked softly, turning just slightly on her heels so that Wren’s little green eyes could glance out the windows with her. She brushed chestnut brown hair away from clammy skin, frowning at the warmth radiating off of her baby girl.  “Daddy’ll take you out in them when you’re bigger. And your cousins can’t wait to teach you how to use a boogie board. I think you and Wy are gonna be good friends. She’s crazy just like the big guy that throws you around all the time.” 

It happened in seconds. Taylor was glancing out the window, swaying to a rhythm in her head with her palm splayed against Wren’s back feeling each wheezy inhale, and then there was warm vomit soaking her chest and hiccuping sobs harmonizing with occasional heaves. Taylor had seen babies spit up, she’d been spit-up on too many times, but there was something horrified about watching a baby genuinely throw up. She didn’t have a thought to spare about the fluids saturating her top, her full attention on Wren as she tipped the baby toward the floor and gently rubbed her back. Another splash of vomit landed between her bare feet, and despite herself, she found herself trying to figure out what the combination consisted of. Thankfully, that seemed to be all of it, and swiftly Taylor made a b-line for the kitchen sink. 

“Trav!” She called out for her boyfriend frantically, trying not to dwell on how her hands trembled with panic as she stripped a hysterical Wren. She pulled her own vomit soaked shirt off before she brought the diaper clad baby back into her embrace, thankful that the blinds were drawn as she stood bare-chested beneath dim lighting. As footsteps padded near, Taylor brought her nails down Wren’s goosebump adorned back. “We lost a binky and our clothes in the battle.” She teased weakly as Travis came into view,  her eyes glimmering with parental fear as she tried to ground herself in her boyfriend's secure gaze. 

Travis took one look at Taylor standing half-naked in the middle of the kitchen before his eyes trailed to the spot he’d last seen her in before he went to call the pediatrician back in Tennessee, puddles of sick on the hardwood telling him all that he needed to know about the supposed battle. He pulled his battered Cleveland Heights t-shirt off with two hands before he stepped toward his girlfriend and daughter, taking the baby first before he extended the shirt to Taylor, leaning in to kiss her lips sweetly. 

“Not feeling too hot, huh, girlie?” Travis brushed his lips against Wren’s forehead, grimacing at the heat beneath his touch. He reached for the faucet on the sink, letting the water run over his fingertips until it was warm enough to draw a makeshift bath. He plugged the sink with one hand, the other reaching for the baby shampoo they’d unpacked and left by the dish soap. Sink baths after dinner time were practically sacred, and they’d long ago learned to keep everything handy. Parenting was weird sometimes. “Why don’t you go rinse off and grab her some clothes. I can give her a bath.” Travis glanced down at Taylor who had melted into his body, her arms wrapped around his waist as her manicured fingers softly tickled the soles of Wren’s little feet. 

“What’d Dr. Yates have to say?” Taylor asked hesitantly, scared of what could possibly come out of Travis’ mouth now that she’d asked the question. If this was anybody else’s baby, she wouldn’t be so nervous. She’d be able to recognize that it was just a cold and at the very worst, an ear infection. But, this wasn’t anybody else’s baby. This was her baby. Her baby who had only just stopped bearing bruises on her innocent body. Her baby who had finally stopped crying anytime someone picked her up too fast. Taylor had finally seen the end of her daughter’s suffering, and yet here she was flush and miserable like no time had passed at all since that very first night together. 

“If her symptoms don’t get any worse, she should be good with lots of fluids and rest. She said it sounds like a cold and nothing we should be concerned about.” He laid a gentle kiss to the top of Taylor’s head, feeling her nod against his chest before she was pulling away and turning toward the stairs. 

“If I grab the wrap and our jackets, will you walk the rocks with me?” She asked after a moment of silence, peering over her shoulder at him softly. His bare chest looked strong with Wren curled up between his pecs. Taylor loves supporting him during the season, but she can’t help but look forward to the off-season when his features soften the slightest bit and his guard breaks down freely. 

Travis softened beneath Taylor’s gentle gaze, and even if he had wanted to stay inside for the night, he would’ve found himself agreeing with her. Tenderly he nodded, brushing a knuckle across Wren’s flush and pitifully damp cheeks.“‘Course. Some fresh air will do you good, isn’t that right, Roober?” 

Taylor smiled softly before she headed upstairs, attempting to convince herself that she trusted Doctor Yates. The pediatrician was the very best in Tennessee, Taylor had made sure of it, and she hadn’t led them astray in the months that Wren had been seeing her. Still, Taylor couldn’t fully get herself to believe that her sweet girl would be okay.  

Her shower was much needed but painfully short, like most of them were nowadays. Regardless, Taylor had clipped her damp hair up with a red claw clip she’d purchased for the football season and thrown on a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt that were both considerably warm. The baby carrier was the next thing to wrap around her body, and tightly she tied the purple material around her hip in preparation for Wren’s weight. Only a handful of months ago she’d been weeping into Travis’ chest about wanting another chance at motherhood, and now she was here, practically moving on autopilot with a sick baby downstairs. Sometimes it randomly hit her that this was the rest of her life. She finally had it between her fingers. 

Taylor crept down the stairs with a small arsenal of things thrown over her forearms and grasped between her (no longer trembling) hands. She had Wren’s pink fuzzy bear suit, a new pacifier, and a baby beanie all crumbled into her left fist, Travis’ winter boots in her left hand, his sweatpants and both of their jackets hanging over her left forearm. Life looked like this often, and the muscles in her biceps attested to the workouts Taylor saw herself pushing through sporadically throughout the day. 

“There’s my precious girl.” She cooed softly, turning the corner just as Travis fastened a diaper around Wren’s waist. Her baby was sprawled out on her back on the counter, a yellow hooded towel under her squirmy body. She seemed to be in better spirits even if it was just slightly, but that was enough for Taylor to breathe a sigh of relief and drop the boots on the floor by the refrigerator. “Daddy got you all cleaned up, didn’t he?” She cooed gently after lying their winter coats and Travis’ sweatpants down on the counter. She batted at his chest, nodding towards his clothes silently. 

Taylor gave the pacifier over to her daughter fondly, brushing her fingers over Wren’s little cheeks before she maneuvered the toddler’s body into the ridiculously adorable onesie with bear ears sewn onto the hood. Wren, who hadn’t made so much as a peep since the fever first popped up a couple of hours ago, grunted at Taylor irritably when the woman sat her up after the outfit had been zipped onto her body. “Grumpy girl.” Taylor cooed softly, pressing a kiss to Wren’s head before she pulled at the wrap, getting Wren settled into it without a struggle which definitely was not the case the first time she’d tried this particular wrap. Taylor tugged at the tie around her waist, tightening the knot until it supported Wren the way it was meant to. Wren hummed contently at the position, her little ear pressed against Taylor’s beating heart and her body tightly pressed to her evenly moving tummy. 

Taylor took one glance at the puddles of sick on the floor in the living room before she quickly averted her gaze, deciding that was a job for Travis when they came inside. If Travis was going to pin the chore on her, she’d be sure not to give him the chance. Taylor giggled softly as she watched her boyfriend pull his sweatpants up over his basketball shorts, the material awkwardly bunched up in places but Travis didn’t seem to care as he slid on his jacket. Taylor shook her head fondly before she pulled the beanie down over Wren’s head, making sure that most of her little body was covered in some kind of fabric. The baby would soon be zipped up into her winter jacket, so with or without the wrap as an additional heat source, Wren would be warm enough. 

Travis held Taylor’s hand tightly as the walked the rocks down in the sand, their boot-covered feet kicking small granules behind them with every step. It was only after they’d paced in front of the stairs twice that Taylor stopped moving and instead pulled Travis toward her, her blue eyes gleaming bright with tears as she glanced between blue eyes that she adored and the fluttering lashes of her sleeping angel girl. “Thank you for giving me this life.” She whispered so softly Travis almost couldn’t hear her over the crashing waves in the background, but he did hear her, and he smiled tenderly. 

“I love you.” He whispered, pulling her into a hug that positioned Wren between the both of them closely. “I love you, girlie.” He directed the second reiterate at his bundle of a daughter, leaning down to press a kiss to her head that was covered by a Carhartt beanie, the bear suit hood falling off the top of her head. 

“We should probably head back in. You have vomit to clean up.” Taylor sniffled softly, her eyes sparkling as Travis scrunched his eyebrows together and attempted to fake his annoyance. 

“You gonna make me clean it up every time?” He asked, already knowing that he’d do the job without even having to be asked, but he liked this. He liked having things like this to talk about. He liked having tasks to delegate and another person to love. He loved that Taylor trusted him enough to raise an entire little person with him. 

“That’s what you’re here for, big guy.” She teased, but leaned forward to kiss him sweetly before craning her head toward the house. “I probably should’ve dried my hair before we came out here. I’m freezing.” 

“I’ll make you some tea.” Travis hummed, and Taylor was content with that, knowing she most definitely wouldn’t be able to sleep until Wren’s fever cleared and she wasn’t feeling so poorly.

[charliesadventuresinwonderland]

my favorites so far : learning korean

obviously, I'm still a beginner but I've studied french for 5 years and feel confident in these tips from my learning experiences as a whole

apps : I have not tried a lot yet, but recently I've been more interested in adding some more. I use duolingo and have recently started using kimchi reader for translating quickly whenever I encounter something that I can't piece together from context. also, I've heard a lot of good things about lingory, so I'm going to try it soon. anki is the standard app for every language learner to spam vocab, but when I do flashcard-style exercises it helps me to physically write it down to memorize.

tutoring : though it's not too cheap, it helps a lot across the board and stops me from accidentally developing a lot of bad habits. I take lessons on preply, but I'm sure there are other websites/apps to find tutors on that work (or you could search for local tutors to meet with in-person).

youtube : I use youtube for listening practice the most. right now, I ADORE 'study korean with sol' but 'talk to me in korean' is a reliable classic that I would recommend the most to a complete beginner (though I'm sure they have content for more advanced learners !!). even though it's above my level and I have to use subtitles (first in korean, then in english), I like watching NEXZ vlogs to get natural listening in a way that appeals and interests me. speaking of that, here is my number one tip for any language. korean with miss vicky is another channel I love who breaks down grammar well.

in case you couldn't tell by how long this section is, I have more recommendations and I use youtube a lot to help me learn. you can get videos to help teach you korean or videos already tailored towards natives if you've spent time learning already. a few more listening practice channels: comprehensible input korean, didi's korean culture podcast, now korean class, and SDBD korean podcast are some others I like. if you're a total beginner, KTS korea, immersion in korean, and koreant will make it palatable. I do recommend trying stuff a little bit above your level often because you will grow the most when challenging yourself.

the best methods for learning languages are the ones that keep you interested in it!! it helps keep you motivated and excited to learn, and personally, I just learn so much faster if I actually enjoy the content (that's why I struggle so much with learning from flashcards !! they're SO boring to me).

another tip : learn the history and culture, especially if you're learning slang and it seems confusing. there's more to learning a language than understanding the syntax, memorizing vocabulary, and translating. not only is it fun and can increase your interest in learning a language (you can find interesting cultures and histories everywhere), but having a bigger picture on what you're learning just pieces things together for me?? why certain customs, phrasing, and formalities exist in speech starts to make much more sense, and I find that it helps me understand what to do in different contexts much better.

writing : honestly, starting this account has been a way for me to get more writing practice in and challenge myself. I also have an opportunity to document my growth !! so, I would recommend posting small blurbs on a langblr account in your target language, and posting as often as you want (my goal is everyday, and I'll notify you all if something changes and I go on hiatus for a week or more). I also have a language journal where I have a formatted entry to do every day. if I want, I can write more than that, but I try to set that as a standard for me to do and I usually complete it soon after finishing school (and recuperating via staring out into space on the couch). you can do as little or as much as you want. also, setting goals and saying that I'm going to do something every day for the foreseeable future really makes tasks seem even more daunting and it becomes harder to me to start at all. here comes my next tip for this -

don't read this and say, "oh, I'm going to do this, this, this, and this daily from now on". start small and do things in amounts that you realistically think you can motivate yourself to complete, and then you can start to build on those to a (still feasible !!) amount.

speaking : I know it's really tough for a lot of people, but for some reason I'm blessed and can pick up on proper intonation and pronunciation pretty quickly, even if it's not formally introduced and explain to me. still, it's important for everyone to improve their skills in this. every day, I write a paragraph about anything. then, I go into voice notes and record me saying it. after the first time, I go through it and give myself feedback, then I re-record enough times until I feel okay with it. also, do random tries where you try to say a whole thing as fast as possible. this will not only keep you from going through your sentences super slowly, but it helps with your listening because it's hard to understand other people speaking something faster than you can speak that. basically, raising the bar on how fast you can speak raises the bar on how fast you can understand others.

textbooks : personally, I don't have any textbooks yet ㅠ ㅠ but I have some ordered as a gift to myself for my upcoming birthday!! I'll let you all know what I think once I try them.

music and shows : I know that many korean learners were inspired to start learning by their love for k-dramas or k-pop, so honestly just listen/watch whatever makes you happy. I'm not any expert on what songs, movies, and shows will teach you korean best at different levels, but all immersion is good immersion. I listen to the k-pop artists I like (ateez, xdinary heroes, and nexz) but it's more of a getting the vibe than paying attention to the lyrics, so it's not super helpful for me. lots of people do learn from disney movie translations, if that's something you're interested in trying.

all in all, have fun with it, be realistic, and don't push yourself too hard! I hope I gave you some resources and tips that weren't completely generic, but I'm going to end on advice that everyone (including me) should listen to.

IF YOU ARE CONSTANTLY READING ADVICE ABOUT LEARNING LANGUAGES, YOU PROBABLY KNOW MUCH MORE ABOUT HOW TO LEARN A LANGUAGE THAN THE LANGUAGE YOU'RE ACTUALLY LEARNING.

spend less time scrolling through tips and magic formulas for learning quickly and easily and try your best to actually put that time to use.