#hello from CDG

[misskattylashes]

My controversial Milex theory

So, common lore is that Miles has always been this free and easy, liberated rocker, and Alex was the repressed, closeted one, holding Miles back from coming out. But recent events have made me think differently. There was the Miles at church thing, the realisation from Knee Socks that that is possibly about Miles and his religious guilt (the ghost in your room etc), and now the Suki Waterhouse thing. He has deliberately posted her song, congratulating her on her hit. It is an unusual move for him, but there won’t be any speculation about them because she is settled with Robert Pattison and they have recently had a baby. It is like Miles is making an effort to show there is no bad blood between them.

Why? Well I am thinking that maybe he is gearing up to come out, and seeing as Suki was his biggest publicised romance and she was supposed to have left him for Bradley Cooper (who it is rumoured also gay/bi) then Miles is now saying between the lines that it is no big deal what happened between them.

Alex always gets the bad rap because he is the one who has had long term girlfriends, but I think we have to look closer at Miles. He too has been in situations where he was sticking his tongue down the throat of a Page Three Girl or some model, and his lyrics in the early days were full of ‘she’ and ‘girl’ much more than FWN or Humbug. Even his videos always had females in them, just as much as AM’s videos (and let’s not forget, Alex has never fully interacted with a woman in an MV).

Personally, I think from 2008 – 2015 Miles and Alex had a casual thing going, but listening to Alex’s lyrics from this period, I would say that he realised early on that he was in love with Miles, and it was an open secret. See any clip of the Monkeys being interviewed around this time and the other boys pull faces when he talks about Miles. Whereas I think Miles was still convincing himself he could ‘go straight’ if he wanted to. I say this because in between DWYA and CDG we have EYCTE, and twice Alex has made reference to them ‘falling in love’ during this time, and by the end of the tour, Miles looks as lovesick and smitten with Alex as Alex has with him since 2008. Miles could no longer fight his feelings and had to come to terms with his sexuality, but by then he had mucked Alex around too much, and Alex had to go back to being CEO of Arctic Monkeys, so Alex wouldn’t commit to him. Hence you get CDG (but you also get the Ultracheese). This led to their breakdown around 2017 -2018. But instead of what everyone thinks, that La Cigale was the beginning of the end, I think it was the opposite.

By NYE 2018/2019 they are in their local in Bethnal Green, celebrating (Louise is there but Alex is trying to ignore her) and by Change the Show, Miles’ lyrics are no longer gender specific (apart from Caroline) and he sounds more annoyed at Alex rather than full of angst and hurt like CDG.

Then we get to OMB/The Car.  OMB is full of songs where Miles is reflecting upon his own behaviour, and on The Car we have Jet Skis and Hello You that hint at their reconciliation.

So in summary, I think Alex’s closet is very public but in their inner circle everyone knew the truth, but Miles’ struggles were far more internal and it took for him to realise he was in love with Alex for him to come to terms with who he really was and he had to become comfortable with that before they had any future.

[lovemkx]

Hello there! I wanted to know if there’s a post compiling all of miles’ interviews during the cdg era??? Or most of them?

hey! i don’t know really. i haven’t compiled his interviews from any era tbh (i think, idk) 😃 but if someone here has it, please help this anon 🫶

these blogs were here during cdg era: @milespeterkane @colourofthetrap @sonnayasova. if you search “mk3” “cdg era” or “coup de grace” you’ll def find lots of stuff <3

[bomikalover]

"Puree Passion"

here's the other two chapters!

Chapter 2: Paris avec Becky (Paris with Becky)

Bose walks into the CDG Airport after a 15-hour flight, taking a second to stretch himself out. Even though he was in first class with the seats that turn into beds, he couldn’t find comfort fitting all 6 '3 of him on those average-sized plane beds. As he finished his stretch, his eyes caught the young brunette standing near the bag claim. With searching green eyes and a small sign saying “Welcome Bose!” in her hands. He walks up to Becky without her noticing as she stares over the other way. Bose taps his friend's shoulder, her turning abruptly. 

“Rebecca Nicole Butler, we meet again.”

“Call me that again, and you're sleeping on the streets.”

The duo laughs, embracing each other. Bose hasn't seen Becky since she moved away 2 years ago. She hadn't changed much, her hair was longer, and she didn't have braces anymore, but everything else was basically the same. Bose, on the other hand, had doubled his height, had a broader build, and had a deeper voice. The duo breaks their hug.

“So, how has Swellview been without me?”

“I've been so bored. You know, with school, my parents, and Danger-I mean other stuff. I just haven't had time to really have fun.”

“Aww, you still haven't made any friends?” Becky teases.

Bose scoffs while grabbing his bags from the baggage claim.

“Actually, I have 3 friends, best friends, to be exact.” Bose claims.

“Oh really, what are their names?”

“There’s Miles; they’re the funny one, Chapa; she’s the angry one, and then there’s Mika-”

“Mika? Mika Macklin? The Mika Mouse?” Becky questioned.

That’s exactly how Mika reacted to him mentioning Becky.

“Yes?”

“You didn't tell me you were friends with her!”

“You never asked.”

Becky rolls her eyes while grabbing one of his suitcases. They start walking to the exit.

“Bose, I’m serious. I always talked to you about her.”

“You did?”

“All throughout Middle School! That girl was my academic rival.”

“Oh well, she changed a lot.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, she’s way more chill now. A lot like you, if I'm being honest.”

“If you say so.”

The duo makes it to Becky’s car, Bose getting in the passenger with Becky in the driver’s seat. 

“So, how has Paris been treating you?” Bose asked.

“c'était vraiment solitaire” Becky replied.

“What does that mean?”

“It's been wonderful!” Becky lies.

Google it.

“That's great; I was worried you'd be sad by yourself.”

“Me? Lonely? That’s funny.” Becky giggled nervously.

Bose and Becky laugh as she continues to drive to her residence.

Becky turns into the driveway of her home. Bose gawks at the sight of her humongous home. It was twice the size of his. 

“This is your house?” Bose asked.

“Yeah, but it’s only our summer house.”

“Summer House?”

“Yeah, but my mom’s house is way better. But enough about me, let's get you inside.” Becky says.

Bose and Becky grab the suitcases while heading inside. Becky opens her front door to an even more marvelous sight. Bose felt like he could break something by just looking at it. 

“Rebecca, is that you?”

Becky’s mom Rosemary turns the corner dressed like she’s going to meet the queen. She is British, after all.

“Oh, Bose, is it? I forgot you were coming today!”

“Hello to you too, Ms.Rosemary.”

The mother looks thrown off as Bose smiles politely at her.

“It's Butler.” Rosemary corrects.

“I'm sorry?” Bose questioned.

“It’s Ms.Butler.” Rosemary corrected once again.

Becky could cut the awkward tension with a knife, as it was so thick. So she grabs a bag and Bose’s hand while walking past her mother.

“Mom, be nice! We're going upstairs; Bose must be exhausted.” Becky said while dragging Bose up the stairs. 

The duo makes it up the stairs, entering the room at the end of the hall. It held a queen bed, two big dressers, a wooden desk, and a big flatscreen TV. It also contained a mini walk-in closet and a full bathroom. It had its necessities, but it was very barren; very obvious it was a guest room.

“So I'm guessing this is where I stay?” Bose asks while sitting at the desk.

“Yeah, sorry, it's not nicer.”

“Are you kidding? This is way better than my room!”

Becky laughs while placing his suitcase in his closet.

“Well, I'm glad. You must be tired, so get some sleep; you can worry about unpacking later.”

“See you at dinner?”

“No, duh.” Becky joked while leaving the room.

Bose plopped back on the bed, falling asleep almost instantly. It’s almost like he's forgetting something…Nah, he’ll think about it in the morning.

Mika paces back and forth in her room with her phone on her bed. Awaiting a call, or a text, a video call, a voicemail, heck, even an email! But Zada, zero, zilch, nada, nothing! Absolutely, Positively, Most Certainly Nothing from Bose! You heard her…NOTHING! Did he make it? Is he safe? Is he alive? Well, we’ll never know. Why? Because he didn't CALL HER! Was Mika overreacting? Maybe! But is it justified? Absolutely! She hasn't been able to sleep knowing Bose isn't there. She doesn't have the comfort that he can just come over to her house in the middle of the night and crawl through her window! Anyone else does that, and she sonic screams them off the roof.

“He’d said he’d call.” Mika says.

Bose wasn't one to break promises. If he said he’d call, he’d call. 2 hours later, the phone still hasn't rang. Mika was still pacing, with tired legs, heavy eyes, and an empty stomach. Mika grabs her silver Danger Force blanket, sitting Indian style on her floor, wrapping herself up in the blanket. The door opens to Miles, asking if their sister wants lunch.

“Meeks, you want lun-Oh my god, are you ok?”

The twin watched as Mika rocked back and forth on the ground. She was really going through it, and this was only day one.

“He. didn't. Call. Not once. HE SAID HE’D CALL! But he didn't. He’s probably Frenching with Becky.” Mika said spitefully.

“Okk, I think you need to rest.” Miles carefully said.

“No! I'm not moving until he calls!”

“Mika, you haven't eaten or slept, and I'm sure you have to pee. He will call, but you can't stay in one spot until he does!”

“Watch me.” Mika bets.

Miles walked right back out of the room. They knew Mika was too stubborn, controlling, and over-competitive to let someone get one over on her. Especially her own twin. So, Mika sat and waited. 20 more unbearable minutes passed before her phone finally made a noise. It was ringing. It was actually ringing! Mika springs up, forgetting all the fatigue and needs she has. She grabs her phone, ready to see the name Honey 🍯 with her favorite picture of Bose in the background. It was an image of him handing her a dandelion and telling her to make a wish; she snapped a picture of him in the act. Her candid photos of Bose were her favorite. Her smile immediately fades away as she sees Sparky ⚡with a pic of Chapa hanging upside down from monkey bars like a bat. She said, “It’s my most comfortable state, ya know, when I’m not zapping people.” Mika sighs, answering her phone.

“Where are you!” Chapa asked.

“I’m at home, waiting for Bose to call me.”

“We were supposed to go out for lunch today.”

“Shoot.” Mika whispers.

“Yeah, shoot. I knew you’d forget…Mika, I know Bose, and I know you do too. He’ll call, but you can’t just mope around until he does! Get ready and meet me at the Singing Subway in an hour. You’re lucky I love music. If this were any other restaurant, you’d have 5 minutes.” Chapa ended with a joke.

Mika giggled at her friend’s joking manner. She appreciates Chapa for trying to help her not think about Bose for a bit.

“Ok. Thanks, Chapa.”

“No problem, now go get ready!” Chapa says while hanging up.

Mika plugs her phone up, heading out of her room for the first time in hours. She will admit Miles was right about one thing, she really did need to pee.

A, now clean and energized, Mika stood outside Singing Subway. The Singing Subway is precisely what you think it is. A sandwich shop, where you go do karaoke. It was mainly a purple and white building, with a big sub sandwich holding a mic, on a sign. Mika enters through the double glass doors, spotting Chapa admiring a performance by a young girl from their school. Her name was Mileah, and she was on the basketball team with Chapa. Mika’s seen her before, obviously at all the games, but sometimes Mika will see the two basketball players leave games together. Not wanting to intrude, she doesn’t follow, but she will forever be curious about where the duo goes. Mika orders a sandwich before sitting at the table.

“She’s good.” Mika states.

Chapa flinches, not noticing her friend’s presence. “Dude! Don’t scare me like that.”

Mika laughs while leaning back in her chair. Chapa sets her eyes back on Mileah.

“But yeah, she’s great.”

Mika eyes her friend with a knowing look; Wait a minute…. “You like Mileah.”

Chapa turns around in her chair.

“What are you talking about?” Chapa questions.

“I see how you look at her; you talk about her all the time, and don’t think I didn’t see all those times you guys left together after games.” Mika explains, sitting up in excitement.

Chapa came out as a lesbian on her 16th birthday. Everyone supported her, and her mother was still coming around, but that didn’t stop her. She was genuinely happier and knew she was never alone as Miles came out as Pansexual and Non-Binary the year before. They were the first person to know about Chapa’s sexuality months before everyone else did. Miles and Chapa always had that special bond, like Bose and Mika’s, but it was different and their own.

“Damn, you and that big brain of yours!”

The brunette smirks confidently. “I’ll be damned.”

Chapa sighs, knowing she has no way out now.

“Mileah is my girlfriend. We started dating a little after I came out.”

“I knew it!” Mika cheers.

“No one knows besides you…promise to keep it on the down low? Please don’t bring back Mika the Snitch.” Chapa pleaded.

“I promise.”

“Mika, I’m not playing around, Mileah is important to me, and I want to keep it private for a little longer. Girl Code?”

Mika loved seeing the redhead be in love. It warmed her heart. She would much rather see Chapa happy than angry, so of course, she would keep her secret.

Mika smiled while saying, “Girl Code.”

Mileah finished off her performance, walking over to the girl’s table.

“Hey, Mika! I didn’t even notice you came in.”

Mika giggles. “Neither did Chapa.”

Chapa rolls her eyes while grabbing Mileah’s hand. Chapa’s brown eyes meet her blue.

“You did great, babe. And don’t worry, Miss Brainiac over here figured us out.” 

“My lips are sealed.” Mika says while zipping her lips.

Mileah smiles. “Oh, ok. Well, I got to go, but it was nice seeing you, Mika. I’ll see you Saturday, baby?”

“Yup.”

Mileah leans in, pecking Chapa’s lips and squeezing her hand before letting go.

“Later, girls.”

Mileah leaves as Mika’s order makes it to the table. Mika is quick to eat her sandwich as she hasn’t eaten in hours.

“Now that we talked about my love life, let's talk about yours.”

Mika swallowed her bite before asking, “What love life?” 

“I’m talking about your lover boy, you know, the one you cried in my arms about yesterday?”

Mika sets down her drinks.

“Chapa, nothing is going on between Bose and me.”

“Oh really? So the thought of Becky having him all to herself while being miles away doesn’t bother you?”

Mika’s blood started to boil. Becky was known for her manipulative ways, slithering her way into getting whatever she wanted. That includes people, and people includes Bose. Her Bose. The boy she once saw used his pants as a napkin since he didn’t want to get his shirt dirty. The boy she once saved from a crazy blonde sea witch who went to any lengths to make him official with her. The boy she missed like crazy, and just the thought of him with Becky makes her want to-

“Mika! You’re choking your sandwich.”

The girl looks down at her hands, seeing her sandwich squeezed out all over the table. She puts it down as Chapa hands her some napkins.

“Look at you! You’re so mad at the mere thought of Bose with Becky that you murdered your sandwich! Meeks, admit it. You like Bose.”

Mika cleans her hands while leaning back in disbelief. “I like Bose?”

“While you think about that, I’ll order you another sandwich.” Chapa voiced while walking away.

“I like Bose.”

The whole world knew Mika liked Bose, and now Mika finally, after four years did too.

Chapter 3: Le garçon oublieux (The Forgetful Boy)

Bose woke up with the sun shining through his window, last night’s clothes, and a sticky note on his forehead. He pulls the post-it note off groggily, seeing it’s from Becky. It read, “You missed dinner, sleepyhead. I better not eat Beckyfast without you or else….” Bose chuckled at his friend, still calling breakfast “Beckyfast.” Bose looks at his phone that was plugged in, thanks to Beck.

“10 am.” Bose whispers.

The teen rises out of bed, heading straight to the bathroom to freshen up for the day.

Bose sits at his desk, going through his phone after getting ready. He opens Twitflash seeing a post of Mika and Chapa at that new sandwich place that Chapa posted hours ago. It’s a nice picture. Mika looked super pretty…MIKA! He didn’t call her. Bose immediately dials Mika’s number, feeling guilter as time passes. The phone rings for a few seconds, but it feels like forever. 

Mika picks up with her camera on, wearing a pink pajama set while sitting at her desk. She looks beautiful. Well, she always does, but as the desk lamp gave her face a warm glow that only Bose could see, she looked unreal.

“Hey, Mika.”

Mika keeps her eyes glued to the notebook that she is writing in. “Hey”

“I’m sorry for not calling like I said I would.”

Mika stops writing, setting her pencil down. She sits back in her chair, arms crossed.

“I waited for hours. You promised you’d call, and you didn’t.”

“I know. I was just exhausted from the long flight and crashed when I hit the bed. I’m sorry; I should have texted you or something. Can you forgive me?” Bose pleaded.

Mika stayed silent, eyeing her best friend through her phone. His hair was slightly damp, showing he just finished getting ready. The brunette was wearing a lilac hoodie which was one of Mika’s favorites on him. Not that he knows that. Bose looked at her with his honey-brown puppy dog eyes, and Mika was folding. Mika couldn’t stay mad at him. Truthfully she never was. She wasn’t mad at him for not calling; she was scared he would forget about her once he got to Paris. But he didn’t. He called her as soon as he woke up. That alone means a lot to Mika.

Mika broke into a smile. “Of course I can.”

Bose smiled while getting up to unpack.

“So, doing summer school work, I assume?” Bose questioned.

“I must do everything I can to be immediately accepted to Harvard!”

“I know, but summer is usually for having fun, hanging out with friends, and traveling.”

“I’m having fun doing summer work, I hung out with Chapa yesterday, and we traveled all over the world when we fight crime, so I’d rather not travel.” Mika debated.

Bose laughed while putting away some of his clothes. Mika Macklin was definitely one of a kind. That’s one of the things he liked about her. She was still the girl he met at Planes-A-Plenty four years ago. Her hard work and perseverance were some of her most notable traits.

“I’m just worried that you will waste your summer doing something we already do for 5 months of the year.”

“It’s 9 months, and I’m not wasting my summer; you can learn anytime.” 

“I just want you to have fun, just like if I was there with you.”

Bose knew how overwhelmed Mika gets over schoolwork. And just for one summer, he wants her to do something in the heat of the moment and not overthink it. 

“And how do I do that? It will never be the same without you.” Mika expresses softly.

Bose stops unpacking, sitting in front of his phone. He hates being away from Mika. Both of their summers won’t be the same without each other.

“I know it sucks, but it’s only 3 months. I’ll talk to you as much as I can, and once I get back, I’m all yours.” Bose voiced.

“Really?”

“Really. I’ll even take you book shopping!”

“For paperbacks or hardcovers?” Mika asked.

“Hardcovers.” Bose replied.

“Hardcovers! Bose, you’re too good to me!” Mika jokes.

“Only the best, to make it up to you.” Bose voiced genuinely.

Mika smiles, feeling her heart flutter with every word Bose says. As soon as Mika finally acknowledges she likes Bose, everything Bose does creates butterflies in her stomach.

“And I can’t wait.” Mika stated just as genuine.

Bose was about to reply when a knock was heard on his door. 

“Bose, it’s almost noon! You can’t miss dinner, Beckyfast, and lunch!”

Mika thought she had escaped that voice. But it still comes back to haunt her. That was the voice of Becky Butler.

Bose chuckled. “Beck, it’s called Breakfast, and I’ll be down in 5 minutes.”

“Alright, I’m counting on it.” Becky jokes.

Mika heard her footsteps get farther and farther away as Bose turned back to her.

“Ok, I got to go eat. I’ll call you tomorrow to tell you how my first day went, ok?”

Mika was still stuck on Becky’s voice but managed to say...“Sure.”

“Later, Meeks.” Bose said while hanging up.

Mika was silent. Her mind focused on three things. He called Becky a nickname; she made him laugh, and how the hell she was going to keep Becky But away from Bose for 3 months while she was stuck in Swellview. Suddenly doing summer work didn’t seem so fun anymore.

Bose gets up, finally heading downstairs. He is met with Becky sitting and eating a sandwich while scrolling on her phone mindlessly. She notices his presence, putting down her phone.

“Took you long enough.”

“Sorry, the flight really took it out of me.”

“It’s ok. I’m happy you’re up now since you start your first day in an hour.” Becky stated.

“Yup, what do you do there anyway?” Bose asked.

“Well, since my mother owns the entire Hip Hop Puree franchise, I can do anything I want. So I decided to get acquainted with all the fields so I could do any job that was needed. But I mostly wait tables since I get extra money from tips.”

“Nice. What am I doing?” Bose asked.

“Working behind the bar. That includes taking orders, working the Puree Machine, and being a cashier. So I hope you studied your French because you’re going to need it.” Becky teases.

I guess calling Mika wasn’t the only thing he forgot to do.

“About that…”

“You didn’t study! I know coming to Paris was a last-minute decision, but you had at least a week to learn something, anything!” Becky stressed.

Truth be told, Bose was already occupied with school finals, but the real distraction was crime fighting. Becky doesn’t know about Bose being Brainstorm, and he’s hoping to keep it that way.

“Sorry, Becky. But you can just teach me some simple phrases, right? It can’t be that hard to learn.”

Becky rolls her eyes while scoffing, “It took me months to get simple phrases down, so for a himbo like you, I doubt you can get it down in an hour.” Becky replies bluntly.

“Ouch.” Bose expressed.

“Sorry. I just want you to have a good first day.”

“I get that. Look, I already speak English, German, Sign Language, and Italian, so I’m sure I can get some of the French phrases down.”

In disbelief, Becky squints, “When and why did you learn so many languages?”

“During Quarantine. I knew Mika wanted to spend her time learning a new language, so I decided to join her. Turns out, I learn quite fast from watching TV, so I learned German and Italian pretty easily. I thought it would be nice to show Mika and the rest of my friends that I could be smart like them. Sign Language was an extra language I picked up just for fun.” Bose explained.

Becky smiled at her friend. It was apparent that he really cared for his friends back home. But it was even more evident that he had a crush on her ex-academic rival. Becky might not have the best history with Mika, but if Bose likes her, she must be someone who makes him happy. That alone is all Becky desires for Bose, for him to remain his innocent and joyful self. And if Mika Macklin is the person keeping him that way…how could Becky ever hate her?

“Well, Hip Hop Paris is only down the street, so that gives us 25 minutes to study. Let’s hope that’s enough time to teach you how to hold a basic conversation.” Becky jokes.

“That’s enough for one episode of a French TV show!” Bose complained.

“Well, let’s hope you weren’t lying about learning fast.”

Bose was now walking with Becky with 25 minutes worth of French knowledge, and let’s just say he wasn’t confident.

[lwlrence]

MISS SPENCER - LINNA RIAZ

CEG

BDG

ACE

ADF

CFA

CEG

CDG

BDG

CEG

I MEANT WELL, DID I KNOW YOU

CFA

DO, HE

CDG

LOVED ME LIKE

BDG

YOU

ACE

(Intro chords)

CEG

I AM HONEST FOR STARTERS, LIKE NOTHING BRUISED

BDG

YOUR LITTLE HEART MADE ME START LIKE A RADIO DO

ACE

I CHANGED MINDS ALL THE TIME, LIKE I LOVED YOU DO

ADF

ITS SO SWEETER KNOWING FICTION MEETS THE EYE LIKE YOU

CFA

YOU CAN SAY ‘THE SUN GOES DOWN’ WITHOUT NO FURTHER DELAY

CEG

ORION IS IN THE NIGHT SKY STILL. THAT GNOSTIC FADED

CDG

THE LITTLE FOX DREAMED AND IT WAS ME WHO SAID ‘HELLO, I’M RICH. HOW DO YOU DO’

BDG

MERCEDES SPENDER BENDER I KNEW WHAT I’D DO WITH YOU, ITS OKAY

chorus

DFA

FIRE SETS FROM THE NIGHT TO KEEP YOU WARM IS MINE OWN RIGHT TO LEAVE YOU

CEG

HOPING,

CDG

KNOWING

CFA

TELL ME IF THE STREET CAN GLOW LIKE YOU CAN SAY ‘I’M NEXT’

CEG

I’M DOWN WITH THE WIND AND THE

BDG

DAISIES LIKE A FRENCH SILHOUETTE, OH.

CFA

YOU,

GBD

SET MY

GCE

LUNGS ON FIRE CUZ I CANT CONDITION YOU TO BE LIKE YOU DO CUZ IF I PLEASE

ACE

ITS YOU AND ME

BDG

AND LITTLE MISS SPENCER, I AM

CEG

TRUE,

FAD

LONG AFORE WAITED PAUSE

GBD

I DID WHAT YOU IGNORED

ACE

YOU MADE ME

CFA

LAUGH, LIKE THE WIND I THREW BACK AND ITS YOU.

CEA

CFA

CEG

BDG

BDF

BEG

JUST REMIND HER, QUALITY STREET IS NOT FOR OPENING

(Instrumental ending)

[umichenginabroad]

Week 1: Bon Appétit

Blog 2 | May 2025

Bonjour!        

Hi! This first week in Paris has felt like a month’s worth of living. I’ve met some wonderful people and I feel like we have already done so many things in terms of sightseeing and running around, yet there's still so much for us to do. Writing this makes me a little sad that week one is over, but I'm so excited for the weeks to come and to share my time abroad with you!

Arrival

I flew from DTW (Detroit) to CDG (Paris), a long 8-hour flight. Since Paris is six hours ahead of Detroit, I made sure to sleep on the plane to beat the jet lag. The wifi on the plane was cut out early into the flight, so I would’ve fallen asleep anyway. Midway through the flight, it finally hit me that I was really studying abroad instead of just getting to say ‘I will be studying abroad.’ The thought made me so nervous that I fell right back into my nap!

Once my roommate arrived, we settled in before roaming the city. Our apartment was semi-stocked with essentials so we ventured out to purchase cleaning supplies and snacks. She also had to call her phone service because her international plan didn't work in Paris so we cancelled her U.S. service and bought a local SIM card. After resolving her phone troubles, I misplaced my phone in an uber and lost my phone for three hours. That was not a fun experience especially being in a city known for its pickpockets! Luckily, I got my phone back, but this experience definitely humbled me and reminded me to be more cautious of where I keep my belongings.

Week One Lessons Learned

This week being my first week, I’ll admit that I have struggled in order to navigate this city. I am definitely not living like a local just yet, but I am less lost than I was prior to this trip. Some things I’ve learned that helped me get through this rough week:

Be polite!: Always greet a hello (“bonjour”) and goodbye (“au revoir or “bonne journée”) when entering or leaving a place. When a service is done, a please (“s'il vous plaît”) and thank you (“merci”) is always appreciated.

Read the signs: Public transportation isn't widely used in the small town that I came from so it took me a bit getting used to. After a while, I found that navigating the metro has gotten easier by simply reading the signs, paying attention to the routes, and having directions on my phone. 

Know your pace: Not every sight has to be seen in a week. After an eventful Monday through Wednesday, my roommate and I decided to take one rest day to recharge. This was incredibly helpful as we were still adjusting to our first week of class. 

Food Journal: Week One

My roommate and I ate out two days this week and cooked at home the other four days. We found it so easy to find a place to eat as every street is lined with some sort of restaurant or cafe. Ordering in French was a bit intimidating at first, but the reward of tasting the food was well worth it. We have such a long list of foods to try while we are here, so we can continue to practice our French when ordering out.

Surprisingly, one of the most confusing parts was ordering a pitcher of water, “carafe d’eau,” with our meals, but I think we are starting to get the hang of it through practice.

This week CEA/CAPA also gave us a food tour! We walked along Marche Montorgueil, a historic street known for its markets, and tasted many cured meats and cheese. Along the way, we learned how the French truly value their dining experience. It is not like what I am used to in America as meals here are at a slower pace and quieter, yet still social. 

Despite the temptation to eat out all the time, my roommate and I decided to also make use of our kitchen in our apartment. While grocery shopping, we noticed that the foods are much fresher and healthier than back home. Meal prepping and cooking has been a fun part of our new routine especially with the app Too Good To Go. Through the app, we were able to purchase a large bag of fruits and vegetables for only six euros! 

New Scenery

This new scenery has been such an interesting adjustment. I feel like I have adapted so much from living in a small town to studying in a big city, especially a big city that speaks French! I love finding something new to do or learn in Paris and I cannot wait to explore more next week!!

See you soon! Au revoir!

 LeAnh Vong

Civil Engineering

Engineering in Paris, France

[preshipmentinspection]

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[cdgairporttodisneylandparis]

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[goodlaboratorypracticesaudit]

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[droneinspectionservices]

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[borescopenspectionservices]

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[hidden-but]

The Relativity of Time and Distance

The journey from the place of my French stay to Paris takes three and half hours. The journey from the train station to the airport takes an hour. The time necessary to get from the airport hall to gate is (including apple break, finishing my drink break, toilet break and buying lunch break) an hour and a half. The journey from Paris airport to Prague airport takes two hours, to then get to the train station is another two hours (including picking up bags). The journey to my hometown from Prague by train takes three hours.  ... so in a way, I live sort of further from Prague airport then Paris airport. And Czech republic is small. 

[titanorosa]

Charity Stream Info: DONATION GOALS

Hello listeners, this is your friendly voice on the airwaves Sarah Murphy broadcasting some important information about my charity stream that will take place on October 15th.

That's right, we're raising money for a cure for PIGA-CDG, and on October 15th we will be playing Devil May Cry 5 starting at 9AM Pacific at https://twitch.tv/sarahmurphy, but I haven't talked about DONATION GOALS!

That's right, the more we raise the more I have to do!

Also, I know we're still a long way off from October, if these fabulous rewards move you to donate early between now and then, don't fret! Just DM me that you did and I will add your amount to the donation goals.

Overall goal is $2500, but there is a LOT of fun stuff, so much stuff in fact that I have to put it under a read more:

$1250, HALFWAY GOAL: PIZZA AL DANTE Capcom Cafe had an event where they made DMC-themed foods, including a fruit pizza for Dante that was a bread base with a jam sauce, fruit and a passionfruit glaze.

I'm not eating that.

We raise $1250 and i'll cover a cheese pizza in MY favorite toppings which includes peppers, onions, crushed red pepper and hot sauce; THEN the fruit and jam. And I will have to eat the whole thing.

$2500, MAIN GOAL: DmC: Devil May Cry This game currently sits in a locked quarantine folder on my computer. If we raise $2500, I will have to crack open Ninja Theory's Box and play DmC: Devil May Cry on stream.

$5000 - STRETCH GOAL 1: Stream Dante Must Die for all 4 previous games and DmC You will have watched me sweat through DMC5's Dante Must Die mode during the charity stream. Want to watch me do it again? Want to watch me do it 5 more times? THIS is your chance!

$7500 - STRETCH GOAL 2: I have to 100% complete DmC and DmC: Vergil’s Downfall This game and its DLC have 58 achievements on Steam and I will have to unlock all of them. You could make me play this game over, and over, and over again.

$10000 - STRETCH GOAL 3: I have to play the game immediately after beating DmD difficulty and beat it again on Human Difficulty “This party’s getting crazy! Let’s rock!” After 15 hours of streaming, you could keep the party going for another 10 hours with this goal!

$15000 - STRETCH GOAL 4: Hike Mount Superstition I live in the Valley of the Sun, and on the eastern side there is a mountain with an 8.7 mile round-trip hike. You could make me go on a 6-hour hike and have to film the whole thing

$20000 - STRETCH GOAL 5: I have to play all 11 mainline Mega Man games I have never played a Mega Man game before, if we hit this goal I would have to play all 11 of the mainline games, and potentially a few more from the spinoffs!

$25000 - STRETCH GOAL 6: Face reveal Ever wondered about the broadcaster behind the mic? Curious to see who I am? For the eighth stretch goal I'll let you all know, and here's something to sweeten the pot: I'll be wearing a DMC3 Dante costume during the charity stream ;)

$50000 - STRETCH GOAL 7: I have to play the mainline Metal Gear games while cosplaying 8 games, 8 costumes. Who knows, I might dress up as Quiet as I slog my way through Metal Gear Solid V ;)

$100000 - STRETCH GOAL 8: I have to play all mainline final fantasy games besides the MMOs (no XI or XIV) while cosplaying for each one I have never played a Final Fantasy game, and the 13 non-MMO games of the main series clock in at almost 500 hours to complete.

So those are all the goals! If you want to see if I'm up to the challenge, tune into http://twitch.tv/sarahmurphy on October 15th starting at 9AM Pacific while I play DMC5.

And remember:

Want to get started on reaching these goals early? The donation page is here, DM me that you donated anytime between now and October 15th and I will add your donation towards these goals https://secure.givelively.org/donate/cdg-care/help-us-fund-a-cure-for-piga-cdg

thank you for reading!

[itsstickball]

Could you do a prompt about Jean going back to see his parents? I’ve always wondered what he would do!

I have lots of feelings about Jean, so this got really long. Most of it is under the cut, but really the only things you need to know is that I created a summer professional Exy league in Europe and Jean, Jeremy and Neil are all playing in Lyon, France. (All conversations are in French unless otherwise specified)

It’s been seven years since he left Evermore.

Twelve years since he last set foot on French soil.

It’s…disorienting.

The steady stream of French that washed over him as they stepped off their plane and into the CDG terminal calmed the apprehension Jean hadn’t noticed growing in him until that point.  Whatever reservations he had about joining the Euro league and playing for Lyon faded away. He was one of the best backliners in professional Exy, and France was his homeland.

Seven years was a lot of time to recover from the damage done to him by Riko and the Master, but that didn’t mean Jean’s version of friendliness was the same as the other players who’d flown with them across the ocean. He nodded or waved in acknowledgment as the majority of them dispersed to catch connecting flights or trains to other parts of the continent until it was only himself, Jeremy, and Neil Josten.

“The manager says there’s a car waiting for us at the South pickup.”

Jeremy informed them in English, breaking Jean out of his reverie. He smiled back at the striker and gestured for him to lead on. The motion earned him a blinding grin from Jeremy and a raised eyebrow from Josten. He likes to think he’s grown a lot as a person since the last time they played together on a team, but it’s second nature to roll his eyes. Josten must be thinking along the same lines because he just answers with a grin full of mischief and good humor.

Jean didn’t necessarily want to go see his parents, but they were playing in France, there’s a full week between games, and somehow Neil and Jeremy double teamed him (though with very different sets of intentions). Jeremy has always wanted good things for him, even if that means pushing him into potentially uncomfortable situations.

“What happens when we go home and you regret not taking the chance for reconciliation?”

He asked. Jeremy was safer not knowing the full extent of Jean’s leash to the Moriyamas, but he was intelligent to take note of the extra hoops he’d had to jump through just to play in the summer league. They both knew this might be the only time Jean got to be in France in a long time.

Jean doesn’t know how to tell his boyfriend that he probably won’t ever be able to forgive his parents – that he was long past needing or wanting them in his life.

“I’ll think about it.”

Jeremy looked like he wanted to say more, but pressed his lips together and nodded. That patience, the willingness to wait and accept his decisions, it was one of Jean’s favorite things about him.

In the end, Neil’s the one to convince him.

The short man didn’t smoke, not without his goalie, but Jean noticed in the few weeks they’d shared and apartment that he’d take a cigarette and just let it burn away in front of him on the balcony. The habit often coincided with Jean’s evening coffee, and they usually shared the time in relative silence.

“I disagree with Jeremy.”

Neil said once they’d both settled in for a minute or so. Though proposed out of the blue, the statement wasn’t all that odd. On the court, he had a great deal of respect and cooperation with his fellow striker, but the two had very different views on the world outside of it. It was perhaps strange that he seemed rather contemplative about this disagreement, but that could be attributed to the setting.

Jean prompted him to continue with a hum.

“I think reconciliation if too weak of a thing to hope for.”

Jean turned towards him at that, interested to hear his own thoughts echoed back so clearly. His interest furthered when Neil continued, but refrained from looking back at him.

“But, I think you should still go.”

An angrier, more raw Jean would have snapped back, huffed out his anger and then belittled the red-head for trying to understand him. Currently, Jean just took another drink of his coffee and waited. Sure enough, Josten continued, staring at the burning ember of his untouched cigarette like it held the key to the universe.

“If my mother were alive, she’d be furious with me. Everything she did was to keep me away from my father, but in the end, it hadn’t mattered. If she were here, I’d want her to look and see what became of me. I’d want her to know that I broke every one of her rules and still made it out on the other side – because I didn’t need them anymore. Before, we just survived, but now, I’m living and it has nothing to do with her.”

He went because, well, mostly because he misses Marseilles. He’s not fully healed or willing to forgive, but Neil was right. He deserved some damn closure – to be able to look his parents in the eyes and say “this is what you did to me” to be able to walk away and say “you put me through hell, but I found my way out of it.” He wanted to see his sister; to know that she, at least, got the normal life he’d been torn from.

Despite his relationship with Jeremy, Neil is the one he takes with him. As much of an asshole and a pain in his side the petit striker continues to be, Jean knows he won’t ask questions – won’t pry in an attempt to help Jean. And sure enough, he’s silent almost he whole train ride, only speaking to be an asshole about their lunch choice or point out Exy posters.

It turns out to be a good thing, having Josten with him.

He probably should have thought beforehand how unlikely it would be that his parents still lived in their little rundown apartment. Neil lets Jean take the place in silently, however and takes over interrogating the neighbors to try and find out where the Moreaus went. He follows the various leads across town while Jean stares at the city he grew up in, cataloguing what has and hasn’t changed. The crime was still heavily prevalent, multiple knives and guns flashed at Neil during their search, but he never flinched away. He found the pockets of good were still there too, though. Little sail boats dot the coast as they ride the bus alongside it, a corner bakery employee hands out free samples to children, a group of teenagers giggle until one of them asks him and Neil for their autographs.

The city was a soothing lull until Neil stoppped walking abruptly in front of him. Jean almost collided with him out of spite, but he doubted the middle-age woman working on the small flower garden on her porch would have appreciated the tussling that would have followed. Instead, he adjusted his stride to step up beside the short man just as he called out to that neighbor.

“Pardon moi, do the Moreaus happen to still live here?”

He asked, his accent having melded near perfectly over the course of the afternoon to fit the natural speakers, whereas he’d been imitating the Lyonnais for the past several weeks.

“Ah, oui.” The woman responded, nodding her head towards the stoop they had halted in front of. “Why do you ask?”

Jean didn’t know if it was a natural proclivity to suspicion or if his parents still hadn’t rid themselves of the habit of getting into business with unsavory people, but Josten smiled and waved his hand at her regardless, making up some story complaining about being given and incorrect address. It was only half-false and the woman seemed to relax.

He thanked her and then led the way up to the door. Neil came to stand a few steps behind, there for support, but not hovering. When he knocked, it was his father who opened the door.

“Jean?”

He took a moment to wonder bitterly if the man recognized him because they shared the same facial structure or if his parents had followed his story in the news. The older Moreau’s expression shuttered slightly when his gaze landed on the three tattooed into his cheek and then flitted anxiously back to Neil.

“Uh, come in, come in! Let me get your mother.”

He seemed to remember enough of himself to offer them a seat and some water. Neil accepted both, picking the armchair furthest from the others and then immediately pulling out his phone. Ordinarily, Jean would have snorted, but he appreciated the semblance of privacy.

Jean still stood when he heard his mother’s footsteps and voice coming down the hall.

“Thierry? What is it? Do we have visit- oh.”

The backliner stayed put until his mother ran out of words and steps. Only then did he tear his gaze away from the scattering of pictures on the mantle – from the small frame in the corner that showed a grinning boy holding his first Exy racquet. As he turned, the whole room seemed to fall silent.

“Hello mother.”

The words sounded odd and formal in his mouth. For a moment, he was thrown back into a media room with red and black walls a smiling psychopath breathing down his neck – ready to pounce should he misspeak. He blinked slowly washing the memory from his mind. Riko was dead.

Riko was dead and he was here.

“Je-Jean?”

His mother stuttered, lifting a hand to her mouth. Where his father had been quietly accepting, pale and meek, Nadine Moreau was all emotion. He had her to thank for his complexion and his stubbornness. He remembered that she hadn’t gone with them to the airport, but that she’d cried in his doorway the night before when he’d been pretending to sleep. He’d thought she was proud and scared that he would be playing across the ocean. He had no idea of the horror that she’d sold him into to remove her husband’s debt.

“Are you -. You’re.” She stopped and started. Jean waited for the words “I’m sorry” to come, hoping silently despite what his heart and Neil had told him. When they never arrived, and the awkward silence of his mother trying to find words as her gaze skittered across his face and frame, and his father not even doing that, Jean put them all out of their misery.

“We’re here for the summer league, playing in Lyon.” He explained, motioning politely towards Neil. “This is my teammate.”

He saw the questions flit across his mother’s face once more. Was this another boy condemned by the mistakes of his father? Turned into a champion by the horrible machine  of abuse at Evermore? Neither player moved to explain themselves or their scars – though Neil had most of the ones on his arms covered by armbands anyway. The striker did offer a polite hello before going back to his phone.

When neither parent offered anything of value, Jean continued.

“We won’t be able to stay,” He said, no regret coloring his voice. “But a friend convinced me it would have been rude not to stop by.”

At that, Neil did snort behind him – though Jean didn’t know if it was at the return of his on-court arrogance, or the oversimplification of their conversation and his conversation with Jeremy. He found he didn’t care much – though it did help to snap him out of the awkwardness that had permeated the room.

“Well,” His mother said, sad but accommodating. “We don’t want to keep you if you have other places to be. I’m sorry Amelie wasn’t here to say hello, she’s out at the university most days.”

Her words were bland, but Jean saw in her eyes that she understood that she had no right to keep him, even if she still wanted to. His father’s eyes, as he escorted them back to the door, were as blank and numb as ever. Jean almost thought, in a quiet flash of anger, to ask if they’d replaced his heart with a machine yet. Instead, he allowed his mother to place a gentle hand on his shoulder and followed Josten out the door.

“Where are you going?” He called when he saw that the striker wasn’t headed back towards the bus stop they’d come from.

“To the university.”

Neil called over his shoulder without slowing down. Jean muttered about tiny assholes and lengthened his stride to catch up. When he was once more walking beside the red-head, Josten pocketed his phone and pulled out something else to hand over to Jean.

“What -?” He stopped himself when he saw that the small slip of paper was a picture. A picture of him and Amelie. “You stole this?” He tried to sound indignant.

Neil just shrugged.

“They have about twenty, I figured they could spare one for you.”

He did not thank the shorter man. But the striker didn’t comment on the way his eyes traced the photo of the two young children reverently either, so Jean figured they were even.

The university was apparently close enough that they could walk to it, though it was definitely well into the afternoon due to their circuitous trip to find his parents’ house. Still, Neil led on, occasionally checking the map on his phone until they stood on the edge of the school’s practice football fields. Jean didn’t bother to ask how Neil knew to go there, he’d seen the picture of Amelie proudly displayed in his parents’ front hall, holding a football and an acceptance letter.

They stood there quietly at the edge of the grass, watching the girls dribble, pass and shoot the ball around. Neil seemed content to ignore him until the players took a water break, and even when he spoke, there was no real judgment in his voice.

“So how much longer are we going to stand here watching?” Okay, maybe there was a little judgment, but it seemed to stem more from amusement and boredom than anything. “Jeremy wants to know what time we’ll be back.”

He tacked on more seriously, showing Jean the text on his phone. Neither of them commented on the fact that it was time-stamped twenty minutes ago. Jean let out a huff and steeled himself to walk over to the group of women. Neil followed until they got to the bleachers and then made himself comfortable on one of the benches. Jean stopped awkwardly several feet away, drawing glances and a few whispers from the closer players. He turned to look back at Neil, suddenly unsure of himself. By either miracle, or design, the striker was already watching him. Less of a help was the single-finger salute he gave in return.

Still, it made him turn around and take the remaining few steps.

“Uh, sorry to interrupt. Is Amelie here?”

He asked, trying to sound pleasant for once in his life. A few of the girls looked at him weirdly, which given his imposing stature, strange tattoo and scars was fair. But ultimately, they called out her name and Jean caught himself craning to try and get a look at the woman his sister had become.

She was laughing and breathless, jostling her teammates as she stepped up to join them.

“What’s up?”

He knew he was standing there staring for longer than was probably polite, trying to take her in and fight down the urge to wring his hand. It was getting to the point where Amelie’s friends had told her he had asked for her and the silence had stretched to become quietly awkward. It had been so much easier with his parents, whom he hadn’t expected anything from. But now, with his sister, he felt like he was standing on the edge of a chasm, with no way to see the bottom.

“Do I know –“

“Sometime today, please, Moreau! I want to watch Kevin’s dreams for the Sharks die in real-time.”

Jean whipped his head around to glare at Neil, who didn’t even have the decency to look up from his phone to catch it. He’d spoken in English, but names translated regardless of their context and the use of his brought a reaction from the footballers. The girls around Amelie bristled, having clearly not liked that some strange, foreign man knew their friend’s name. Jean’s sister looked pensive, however, when he turned back to face them. It soothed some of the anger and panic that had boiled to the surface with Josten’s intervention and allowed him to calmly bear the weight of her gaze.

She seemed to take a deeper look this time, not just mildly interested, but actually searching. After a moment, she stepped away from her friends and reached up towards his hairline, for a notch in the pattern that had existed long before evermore.

“Jean?”

She said questioningly, like she didn’t dare believe it.

He swallowed, his mouth dry with emotion at the gentle brush of her fingers against his childhood scar.

“You kicked me in the head with your cleats, jumping off that swing.” He said in confirmation, the corners of his lips turning up just slightly at the memory of that day. Their shape became more mischievous as she pulled her hand back.

“I’m not quite sure I’ve forgiven you for it, yet.”

“Oh my god! Jean!”

Where shock had barely touched his father and had rendered his mother motionless, it spurred Amelie forward until she practically tackled him. The force probably would have taken them to the ground if Jean hadn’t had years of practice bracing against much more determined assailants.

“I can’t believe you’re here!” She said into his t-shirt. “How?”

She pulled away, just enough to look up at him.

“How are you here? They said you wouldn’t be coming back.”

“I didn’t think I’d ever be able to.” He said honestly, rubbing a hand over the spot between her shoulder blades, uncaring of the sweat stains. “I wasn’t supposed to, but,” He glanced back at Neil. “Some friends helped me find a way.”

Amelie couldn’t talk for long, they were actually practicing for an upcoming summer tournament, but it was…nice. He shooed her off with another hug and his phone number. She texted him before returning to the field. Jean heard the crunch of Neil walking through the grass to join him as he stared down at the message.

[hey big bro! I know you said you’re busy, but maybe I can visit you before you go back to the states? Go to one of those fancy games of yours or something? <3]

“Ready?”

Neil asked once he looked back up, gesturing in the direction Jean presumed there was a bus stop.

“Yeah.”

He said, a small smile pulling at his face. The day hadn’t gone at all like he’d thought it would, but maybe there was room for both Jeremy and Neil to be right. His parents had no bearing on his life now, no place in his heart – but maybe he could carve out a little room for his sister.

[umichenginabroad]

One Summer in Paris, S’il Vous Plaît

Blog 1 | May 2025

Bonjour!

Hello! My name is LeAnh and I will be writing to you every week from Paris! You can read my weekly blogs if it pleases you 😊

📍La Seine [Boat Tour with CEA/CAPA Post-Orientation]

Although it is only day 2 of my program, today’s blog will mainly cover my goals for the trip. Come back next week for a recap of week one!

Bon Voyage DTW ✈️CDG

For context, I will be a sophomore studying civil engineering this upcoming fall term. This summer I really wanted to travel and take some of my general engineering classes abroad so I applied to Engineering in Paris through IPE and CEA/CAPA. Here, I will be taking two classes: Differential Equations and History of Paris: An Architectural Perspective, which will transfer as MATH 216 and a Humanities 300-Level credit.

Although my classes are taught in English, I’ve been practicing some French phrases to better immerse myself in the culture. I highly recommend learning a bit before you go because the effort to speak French truly counts even when it doesn’t feel like it does. French people are nicer and understanding when you try to speak French, plus once you leave the Charles de Gaulle (CDG Airport), you will want to learn more than the basic ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ phrases in order to confidently venture out on your own.

Early Days

It is still early days but I am very grateful for CEA/CAPA and IPE for arranging my summer. I love the organizational structure of this program and I cannot wait to plan my days exploring this city. My roommate, Hazel, and I are currently drafting our summer itinerary as I write this!

In just two days (Day 1: Arrival Day & Day 2: Orientation Day), I have checked off quite a lot on my loose summer bucket list that I created prior to the start of the program. 

Loose Bucket List: 

Eat a croissant 

See the Eiffel Tower 

Order a meal in full French 

Visit a landmark (Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe, etc)

Visit a museum(Louvre + smaller galleries)

Learn the metro system

Explore the city (exploring the neighborhoods of Paris)

Explore the country (planning weekend trips within France)

Explore the continent (planning weekend trips throughout Europe)

Try something new every day (e.g. new song, study spot, food, or interaction with a stranger)

It is so easy to find something new to do here in Paris, so this list will definitely be done in no time. To accompany this list, I decided to set three focus areas so I can guide my experience. My goal by the end of this time abroad is to grow in each focus area.

Independence - This is my first solo international trip, so I want to learn how to navigate and quickly adapt to difficult situations with confidence.

Respect and Explore - I am ready to expand my curiosity academically and globally. Being in France, I can take this time to jump out of my comfort zone, but gain experience in a reasonable Parisian manner.

Discover and Grow - I applied to this program before I declared civil engineering as my major. I am hoping that this experience, especially the architecture class, will help me reflect on what I like, whether that's civil engineering or not. Who knows, maybe I’ll even find a new passion here!

This was a short blog but I hope you enjoyed it! Next week, I cannot wait to share some of my struggles and photos with you. For now, merci beaucoup for reading! 

 LeAnh Vong

Civil Engineering

Engineering in Paris, France

[greenbagjosh]

26-27 May 1998 - return for a second stint in IT in Germany

Tuesday 26th May 1998

Hello everyone, Welcome to my 25th anniversary revisiting of my time in Europe in Summer 1998.  I worked at a high technology firm on a temporary job assignment, and lived in a shared apartment.  I also had the opportunity to visit some cities like - Cergy Le Haut FR - Nuremberg, Fürth, Garmisch-Partenkirchen (DE) - Scharnitz AT - Prague CZ - Salzburg AT - Berchtesgaden - Fischhausen-Neuhaus near Brecherspitz - Berlin via Fulda and Braunschweig - Frankfurt an der Oder - Slubice PL - Zürich and Chiasso CH - Milano and Bozen IT - Vienna AT - Budapest HU - Zürich (again for Street Parade 1998) - Paris - Lyon

I flew over from San Francisco through New York JFK Terminal 6 (has since been demolished), and back through St. Louis, Missouri.

Here is what I remember from the first day, Tuesday 26 May 1998, and Wednesday 27 May 1998.   Woke up about 5:30 AM, had breakfast and left the house at 6:30 AM, was taken to SFO airport by parents. Checked in luggage about 7:30 AM, said goodbye to parents, went through security in Terminal 1 (Harvey Milk Terminal), listened to The Dog House on KYLD 94.9 FM, heard Elvis Medina (radio_elvis) do a prank call on a man who owed child support payments to his soon to be ex-wife, flew to NYC JFK airport and landed about 1 PM there.

Was a bit worried that the flight would explode as it did in 1996.  I made it across the Atlantic just fine.  

Tuesday 27 May 1998 Before landing, I was able to listen to BBC Radio 1, 97 to 99 FM in the UK.  I heard "La tristessa durera" by Manic Street Preachers.  It would have been around 8 AM Paris time, when the plane would have landed.  I landed at CDG T1, took the underground travellator to customs and baggage claim. Took a shuttle bus as there was no Roissyval constructed yet (was ready by 2008 when I returned), to the RER T1 station.  I bought a Paris Visite ticket for the RER and entire RATP metro, trams and bus, even the Montmartre funicular. Took the RER from CDG T1 to Paris Gare du Nord.  At Sevran Beaudottes, the station is underground as well as CDG T2/TGV and Gare du Nord, most others were surface stations.  At Gare du Nord, the ticket was used to change to the M5, where I rode it to République, then M8 to Lédru Rollin where the Auberge Internationale des Jeunes was located, in the 11ème district.

Dropped off my luggage, then took the M8 to Nation, changed to a M9 for Croix de Chavaux.  Took a bus to Gallieni.  Took the M3 to see the Georges Pompidou building and the Stravinsky fountains.  Took metro to Montmartre (Metro station Anvers) and went up the funicular.  Came back and took the M2 from Anvers to Jaurès to ride the 7Bis metro line.  The 7Bis at the time used MF88s, quite unique for a metro.  The most advanced rolling stock was MP89, used mostly on the M1, which still had drivers long before it was automated.  Came back to Louis Blanc to ride the M7 to Opéra / Auber for the RER.  A woman was shouting on the southbound platform of the Louis Blanc M7, could not understand what she was shouting about.  I took the RER to Port Maillote, then a RER C to Champ De Mars and another RER C to Issy Val De Seine.

At Issy Val De Seine, I took a T2 the entire distance to La Défense.  The T2 was built on former Banlieu commuter rail tracks.  The only underground station was La Défense.  I exited, and looked around the complex including the Grande Arche.  The weather was not very good.  I went inside the Les Quartre Temps mall and looked for something to buy in the Auchan grocery store. I found some drinks but not much else.  

After La Defense, I took the RER A to Cergy Le Haut.  The previous year, I rode to Cergy St. Christophe, which was quite a long way from Paris.  In early October 1983, my family stayed close to the Cergy Préfecture station, so I kind of knew where I was going more or less.  One thing I noticed at Cergy Le Haut, was that there were no fare gates, unlike at other stations.  The weather was a bit friendlier by the time I visited Cergy Le Haut.

I returned to the 11ème district and looked for a place to eat supper.  I ate at Tony's Restaurant at the corner of Rue Trousseau and Rue du Faubourg.  It has since been renamed to Nakama Resto.  The owner gave me a free glass of tomato juice, with a small amount of vodka.  I think I had a four seasons pizza called "quattro stagioni", was really good.

I went to bed about 10 PM, and had to wake up in time to catch the "Mozart" Eurocity train to Munich.  More will be told in the next chapter.

Good night!  Bonne nuit!

[kichimiangra]

Very good attempt but I can only think of 1 manga this so specifically lines up with so lemme try!

Hello, I am female Mangaka and let me tell you my pitch for a best selling Shoujo manga! This is my protagonist Vague Girl! She is vague in most cases because how else will the girls in the audience project themselves over her so they can imagine themselves dating all the hot boys in this story? Sometimes she will do something baddass and announce that she is not a weak vague girl protagonist but I will still write her incapable of protecting herself from even the weakest assaulter! She also gets average grades but her common sense is dumb as a brick so she can get caught up in shenanigans for believing obvious liars and need her boyfriends to rescue her!

Speaking of her boyfriends! Here's Perfect boy! He's the endgame boy for Vague girl! Perfect boy is perfect and has the least amount of personality of the BOYS so he's perfect for Vague Girl! Even if I give him flaws early on they'll be ironed out in no time! The two will be an official couple long before the story ends and I will lose interest in writing Perfect Boy because I am all about the chase and don't know how to write an interesting continued relationship that isn't the boyfriend fighting off other potential mates for his girlfriend. Readers will like her with a different boy anyway!

Speaking of different boys! Here's the "No chance Boys"! My gaggle of secondary love interests who I will write far more dynamically and interestingly than perfect boy, but they are not perfect so they cannot win her love. We have Male Childhood friend! Or MCF for short. He has loved Vague girl since they were children and but she childishly forgot they promised to get married one day. He gets along with everybody EXCEPT her other suitors.

Then we have Smart guy! He's the guy ALL the girls want because he's going to be a wealthy doctor someday. He might be mysterious and interesting but don't worry. He's only there to be a rival for Perfect Boy.

And Last we have Character Development Guy (CDG) this is the suitor who will have the most interesting and dynamic character arc but will have no chance with Vague Girl in the long run! He will be the fan favorite though and all the readers will wonder why She won't just get will this guy instead.

What? You say this sounds like a reverse harem? Oh no! It's not one of those! It's only a reverse harem if 3 or more boys are pursuing her at the same time! All my boys take TURNS pursuing her so I can stretch out the same love rival plot multiple times! When only 2 boys at a time pursue her it's a "Love Triangle"!

Speaking of love triangle! LET'S TALK ABOUT FEMAL CHARACTERS! First we have "Club president". She is the leader of the fan club for one of these boys and that makes her feel entitled to ownership of said boy! Whether he is Perfect Boy or not she will try to make Vague girls life a living hell for daring to hold the affection of a boy she does or doesn't want!

We also have Her Best friend! Her best friend who ALSO likes one of vague girl's suitors. She tries not to be mean to Vague girl over it but there WILL be a story line where she does something bad to her though I haven't decided the level of maliciousness behind it yet. She will be forgiven and return to the status quo tho. She is a glorified background character only used as a temporary love rival.

Then theres Mom Friend. She is only here to be sensible and uninteresting and to tell Vague girl what she feels for perfect boy is love because Vague girl doesn't understand her own feelings.

Don't forget Tits McGee! Tis McGee is used to using her hot bod to get what she wants and is ALSO interested in Perfect boy and is the only time Vague girl feels jealous because men like tits so he'll leave her for tits, but don't worry, he's perfect so he'll assure her he'll just turn, and push!

Wait... what's the plot? I already told you about all the boys that don't have a chance and the girls who want to steal her boo away!? What more is there!? Okay fine... I'll throw in something that COULD be a plot in case the readers bitch but you know they won't. Anyway here's 2% "plot" and 98% "middle school love shenanigans with cutesy boys!"

Hello! My name is Male Manga Artist, and I've got a up-and-coming best seller story to pitch to you!

This is my main character Spunky Boy! He will go through amazing character development, such as remaining spunky for 95% of the story, except for one arc where he becomes dark and angsty. Yes he'll snap right out of it. The many many human atrocities he witnesses will not faze him, except during 5 minute speeches when he acts like they have.

And now we have Angry Rival Boy! It will be obvious within the first 50 chapters that I actually like Angry Rival Boy far more than Spunky Boy, and I'll spend the following 200 chapters acting like Angry Rival Boy is the real protagonist.

Can't forget the women! Here are my three female characters: Titties, Bigger Titties, and No Titties. Titties' personality is Love Interest. She'll have an arc where she realizes she should define herself by something other than her love for Spunky Boy, at which point I will effectively write her out of the story because I can't conceptualize women having any kind of inner lives that aren't about men.

Bigger Titties' personality is Refined Older Sister. She has no backstory. Her family is rich. No Titties' personality is being angry and scorned, especially when every character points out how she has no titties. No Titties will be effectively written out of the story by chapter 50 because I'm not sure what a female character without titties can even do.

Oh, haha! How could I forget! I also have Matriarchal MILF, a 40 year old with gazonga titties and a drinking problem. She is VERY smart and experienced, or at least I say so. She's stuck up and likes to yell at men. I'll release a sketch on Twitter of her lounging in her pajamas drinking wine and petting her cat, to show I understand women (her gazonga titties will be bursting out of the pajama top).

The rest of the cast? 47 male characters who all have more character and development than any of my 3 (sorry, 4) women. I'll forget about 95% of these characters when I get bored of them and write them out of the plot. This is fine because I will come up with 47 other male characters, and a few more no-speaking-role Titty characters I can use to hook new readers by releasing sketches of them on Twitter. I even have one scene planned where a Titty character does something badass and useful while her gagongahonkas flip flap floop flipperoo all over the page. My audience will brand me progressive for this.

Oh? What's the plot of my show? Haha that's obvious. Magic. Friendship. There's some gimmick in this world that is really cool and interesting, and also there is a villain. Do I have the story PLANNED? What do you mean? I already told you all the women's breast sizes. Do I have an ENDING? Why would I plan to end the story???

What's that? A 10 year contract?! Great! Yes, thank you, I do think I'm a genius as well. Can't wait for the tv adaptation to become the next international anime phenomenon!