celestexchangs

[celestexchangs]

Cel: THAT IS NOT AN EXCUSE. DO. BETTER. OWEN. Cel: Thank you for that. Because I'm really sure that you don't want ME to start talking about stuff like that 👀😆 Cel: I don't think I have yet, to be honest. When are you bringing him over so I can tell him alllll the embarrassing stories about you? 😏

Owen: YOU WERE THE OTHER MOST RECENT PERSON I TEXTED BESIDES HIM, OKAY? Owen: but yes, we're agreed. but also going to swiftly change subject. i guess while we're on the topic, have you met jackson yet?

[celestexchangs]

Unfortunately, yeah. I live in a townhouse complex that was built about seven months ago just outside of town, but yeah all of the back yards are interconnected with little fences between each one. I'm just hoping that they finish the chicken coop soon so that they don't really wander as much. I don't understand how the landlords didn't really think to specify 'cats and dogs'. I mean, I guess I get it if you eat a lot of eggs or want to like...make homemade chicken (I could never), but it still seems a little ridiculous in a community setting.

Are your yards interconnected? That's a bit of a liability, let alone a health hazard that they're just letting the chickens roam like that. I'm sorry that your landlord didn't specify, and that you've got odd neighbours.

[celestexchangs]

If they were properly taking care of the chickens (rooster included) then it probably wouldn't bother me too much. But it's like they thought owning chickens would be "cool" until they realized they'd actually have to buy stuff to take care of them. You are entirely right about it being irresponsible to allow them to freely roam! Thankfully, these chickens don't roam too far from their yard. I've never seen them in the front of the complex or anything, just the back yard. But it's still annoying to walk out onto my back porch and see a chicken just staring at me lol. Maybe I'll sneak over in the middle of the night and just finish the coop for them...

A.........rooster? That cannot be hygienic. It's also insanely irresponsible for the owners to allow the animals to freely roam. What if they're hit by a passing car?

[celestexchangs]

Cel: Right? You think you did something wrong, go over the whole conversation in your head wondering if you said something to piss them off or offend them. Then you go through that whole 'well fine then asshole' phase. Then you get worried so you go to make sure that they're okay, only to find out you're the asshole who hasn't answered for a week. 😭 Cel: Looking back at it, I can definitely see the hilarity in it, but I was definitely not laughing when it actually happened. My phone was in my back pocket when I started falling, so I pulled it out and flung it across the room so it wouldn't get soaked. And apparently I threw it too hard because it hit the wall and the screen shattered and wouldn't turn back on. So that was fun lol. Cel: The biggest I've ever seen is about 150 pounds, but I know the males can get really big. I usually have someone help me get the bigger dogs into the tub if I can't lift them on my own. But yes, I was okay. Twisted ankle and bruised hip from the fall into the tub, but overall I'm okay. Cel: That's okay! Not many people know that they're toxic at all, to be fair. I think most of us were probably poisoned at one point or another when we were younger, but most of us turned out great lol. Ooh that'll work great, thank you! [inserts address] You really don't have to do that, but I really appreciate it! Cel: I'm sorry your dad bailed on you; I can't imagine that was easy to deal with growing up. I can definitely understand the anger you have towards him. I'll never understand how parents can bail on their children. It's one thing if your relationship isn't working, but you don't abandon your children like that. That's not right. Ultimately, if your dad ever tries to come back, though, you won't know what you're going to do or how you'll feel for sure until you actually see him again. Like you said, it's easy to say 'no fuck you', but when you're face to face with someone you thought you'd never see again who meant a lot to you…well, it's hard to know what we'd do in that situation until we're actually put into it. Thank you, Stevie. It means more than you know. I'm used to the judgement from him unfortunately; it's something I've been dealing with my whole life. Anytime I don't do exactly what he wants, it's always a disappointment. It used to guilt me into doing what he wanted, but those days are long over lol. Still, there are some days where that feeling still nags at me. I love my job, but it's hard knowing nothing I do (of my own free will at least) will please him. Cel: I don't understand why people try to force animals to fight. It's barbaric. It's like those old gladiatorial fights where they used to throw humans in with lions and bears and stuff. I don't understand how anyone could think that was entertainment! I haven't seen it here beyond that one case when I first got back, but I used to see it back in Grenada and in Philly when I was working at shelters or vets offices. Usually it depends on what condition the animal's in when it gets dropped off, but a lot of them just need a lot of love and understanding. Patience. We don't typically foster dogs or anything like that, usually we just help place dogs for adoption, but I think fostering is a decent idea if the kennels ever get too full or something. I don't think I could ever foster animals…I wouldn't be able to give them up lol. Cel: I'm sure it's going to take a while for me to get finances together and stuff, but I'm definitely intending to keep it local. I love Bearcreek, and we may be a small town, but more than one vet clinic can't hurt anything ha. I'll definitely stop by on my lunch!

Stevie: Then the whole time, you wonder if you offended the person, if they got bored, or if they died, only to realize when you eventually check the message, it was on you. 🤦‍♂️ Stevie: My imagination is as active as they come, and even envisioning that scenario made me literally LOL. Were you okay after that tumble? I can't imagine someone with your height against a dog of that magnitude! Forgive me if I'm wrong, but doesn't that breed reach up to 200 lbs? Stevie: I didn't think about how toxic they are! Damn... I never worried about that when I was a kid. Honestly, it won't surprise me if I was exposed to several toxins growing up. Here is a link to non-toxin bubbles for kids and dogs. Give me an address and I'll send both there. Stevie: I think I understand where you're coming from. My dad bailed. I don't know how I will react if he resurfaces. Anger will dominate all other emotions, but if he sticks around and tries to make amends, I cannot tell if I'll seek his approval. It's easy to say I won't, but how can one truly know? That's not cool with the way he speaks to you. I get he's your parent, and parents feel they get an automatic pass with their judgments, but Cel, you are not a disappointment. It's good you keep your distance because you don't need that. Stevie: Those dog fighting rings don't make sense to me. The same with cock fighting. Why do people subject animals to that? And for what? Gambling? It's disgusting. What happens to the animals when they're dropped off? I ask since I wish to foster and want to put my name out there if one needs a temporary home while they recover. Stevie: A clinic is very doable, especially if you keep to around here. The big city must come with big-city rent costs and overhead. At least with small places like Bearcreek, the cost of living is manageable. Stevie: Come by whenever. You can eat lunch and get caffeinated at the same time.

[celestexchangs]

Cel: Oh absolutely not. That's like...a first date question for me. "What kind of foods do you not like" and if anything resembling cheesecake or other desserts I love then that's just an immediate 'no thank you'. I don't care how hot he is. Cel:

Cel: Ooh yes please. I will gladly take you up on that offer. You had me at free cheesecake. 😂

Delilah: I once dated a bloke who didn't like 'em, that was the first red flag of many! Delilah: Kurt's offered to try them out, you want to join us? There's a strawberry cheesecake in the mix there.

[celestexchangs]

Cel:

Cel: MY NAME LOOKS NOTHING LIKE YOUR BOYFRIEND'S HOW YOU COULD MISTAKE US?!?!?! Cel: That being said, a man in uniform is *always* the right choice.

text || @celestexchangs

Owen: i don't know, i think the park ranger uniform is kinda sexy. maybe i like a man in uniform more than i thought i did. 😏 Owen: ...oh my god wait no. DELETE THIS CEL, THIS WAS NOT MEANT FOR YOUR EYES.

[celestexchangs]

The plan is to get my own place eventually, but for now this is the most that I can afford on my own. But hopefully after a few months or years of saving, I can get my own place. I have to look into city ordinances about owning farm animals if you don't live on a farm, but for now I just want them to shut up. I love animals, don't get me wrong. Even chickens. But I am not a morning person and I love my sleep, so being woken up early just sets the day off on a bad foot lol. Thankfully, the chickens actually stay either in their yard or within a few yards of it. I haven't seen them in the front of the apartments at all so I think they just tend to wander close to home. I don't understand why they didn't build or buy a coop before buying the chickens. You know they're going to need a place to stay, so why not just do it first.

Well darn, I wish I'd found an apartment like that back when I was still living with my dads. Then I might have saved some money, but I like that I own my own place now. Anyway, are there not any ordinances in town about owning farm animals? I thought that was a thing, especially if they're causing noise! You should look into that, Cel. Not that you'd want to be the bad guy, I know I wouldn't. Also I rarely sleep in anyway, so it likely wouldn't be a pain for me. You'd think that they need to at least keep them penned up, though. Sounds dangerous for the chickens and any of us driving down the street that may have to break for them.

[celestexchangs]

Cel: I'm so glad I'm not the only one lol. Either I'm clumsy and break my phone (which is why I love my phone insurance) or I open a message, think I replied, and then completely forget to respond. So I'm glad that I'm not the only one whos' horrible at communicating 😂😂. Cel: It happens a lot, unfortunately 😅 This time, I was trying to give one of the pets who's boarded a bath. But I am only 5'3" and the dog was an Irish Wolfhound. So I had to stand on a step ladder to do an adequate job so...you can imagine it didn't go well when he tried to get out of the washtub. Long story short, my phone ended up on the floor because I saved it at the last minute before I myself fell into the wash basin. Cel: I'm *so* glad no one else really saw it happen. Cel: I don't think they'll think it's weird, but if you want you can just send both to me, and I'll forward it to the community center for the kids. I've never seen a dog play in a bubble shower, primarily because I know bubbles are toxic for dogs, but I know they make dog friendly bubbles so…obviously now I have to find some so I can try them out. It sounds absolutely adorable. Cel: It wasn't always fun growing up, but he's still my dad you know? We may not get along, but there's still that part of me that wants his approval. So it definitely sucks knowing that I'll never get that. But my job is worth it. I love working at the clinic; being able to be there for them and help them just makes everything worth it. Being around animals all day is just…heaven, lol. And thank you, I definitely appreciate it. I'll keep that in mind if I ever don't want to be alone or anything. I try to keep my distance from him if I can because if we're together we usually end up fighting pretty bad. He can't help but tell me how disappointed he is every time he sees me; I'm the baby, he was supposed to be able to trust that I'd obey. We do our best to stay cordial, but tensions boil over sometimes you know? Cel: The good days definitely make up for the bad, but those bad days are definitely hard. I'll NEVER understand how people can ever treat their animals so badly. We get drop offs from time to time, but the amount of pets I've seen brought in because someone found them abandoned is just…heartbreaking. When I first got here, I was helping with a dog who'd spent most of his life in a dog fighting ring. It killed me. Cel: The final dream. I got sidetracked ha. The final dream is to open my own clinic. I've been taking care of both wild and domesticated animals my whole life so being able to open my own clinic that serves as both a wildlife rescue and release as well as a usual vet clinic would be the dream. Cel: I'll drop by tomorrow morning before work! Or on lunch. I'm sure the cafe has great food, but my priority would be caffeine consumption. 😅😅

Stevie: You're good. I'm glad I'm not alone when it comes to replies. I'm on top of it, or people think I chucked my phone into the ocean. I'm better with in-person interactions mainly because I forget to check my messaging apps. Stevie: That sucks! I'm sorry. How did it break? Stevie: If they don't think it's weird a stranger sent a bubble machine their way, then sure. I'll set everything up to ship to them and you for the new kids. Have you ever seen dogs play in a bubble shower? It's just as awesome as you imagine. Stevie: That's tough, Cel. Have you been around him lately or keeping a distance? If you need a quiet place, the cafe at my job is always there for you. If it's after hours and you need to get away, I'm a call away. [inserts number] Figure it's better to call than text since my texting/messaging track record is laughable. Stevie: What is your final dream? I heard heartwarming tales from people who've worked there but also some that take the wind of you, mostly when people mistreat the animals. Not the staff but the owners who bring them in. Stevie: Come on by whenever you have free time. I'll be there bright and early tomorrow morning. Doors open at 6am.

[celestexchangs]

So...fun fact - apparently when rental agreements don't specify what types of pets you can have, people decide chickens are a great option for pets. I have no idea what the landlords were thinking when they didn't specify 'cats and dogs' - which is the typical option - but now I get to enjoy being woken up just before dawn by my neighbor's rooster. I understand that it's economically better to have chickens if you eat a lot of eggs or something, but like...come on man. As if that wasn't enough, they don't even have them penned in or anything. I think they're in the process of building a coop, but until then they just wander. The other day, I walked out onto my back porch and found a hen just sitting on my furniture. Grenada had some wildlife that loved to come close but...yeah, I don't know. The only thing I do know is that apparently my life of sleeping until at least 7 is gone.

[celestexchangs]

Celeste: If ANYONE says no to cheesecake, run. Fast. They are not someone you want to know.

Celeste:

Celeste: Mini cheesecake, full-sized ones. I think it’s a great idea. You can even do different flavors. I, myself, prefer strawberry cheesecake, but any cheesecake is amazing.

text message || OPEN

Delilah: I'm thinking of doing mini cheesecakes for the shoppe.... what say you?

[celestexchangs]

top 5 favorite animals to have as a pet?

I have to choose just five???? That's just not fair. Fine. 1. Cat 2. Dog 3. Chinchilla 4. Rabbit 5. Bearded Dragon But like...dude I want so many more.

AUGUST SLEEPOVER MEME

[celestexchangs]

[ weeks later ] Cel: I'm so sorry! I promise I didn't ghost you. Cel: I accidentally broke my phone at work a few weeks ago, and I haven't been able to get it replaced until now. Cel: Unfortunately I'm not with those kids anymore, they were just some neighborhood kids, but I would be more than happy to give you the address to send it to some of them! And then if you tell me where to buy it I can buy a second one for some of the kids in my neighborhood. I know they'd love it. And there's nothing wrong with playing in the bubble showers; you're completely right - never too old for it! Cel: My relationship with my father is…less than amicable, so it makes me nervous to be home sometimes. I didn't exactly follow the plan he had for my life. He hasn't disowned me or anything like that, but he doesn't approve of my life. Cel: It definitely is! It's been a dream of mine to work with animals since I was a kid, so being able to work at a place like this is great. It's not the final dream, but it's definitely a stepping stone. I just got hired there when I moved back to town so maybe a month or so? I've been studying veterinary medicine for the last six years or so, but I worked at a veterinary hospital in Philly before that for about two years. Cel: Oh! I've been meaning to stop by there before work some morning since coming home, so now I have a reason to check it out!

Stevie: I'll admit I like it when people give me nicknames or find exciting ways to incorporate Stevie with other words. My little sister is a wiz with that. Have you met Stacey? She's creative as Hell. Celeste is a beautiful name. It means heavenly in Latin. Stevie: I'll try to find where that bubble gun is sold and order it for you and the kids. I can't deprive them of a bubble shower. I might play in it because you're never too old to run through them. Stevie: Why are you nervous? Stevie: That sounds like such rewarding work. How long have you been at Wizard of Paws? Stevie: I'm the cafe manager at 'Sip N' Time. You'll find me behind the counter if you're ever in the neighborhood on weekday mornings.

[celestexchangs]

How loose is your use of the phrase ‘I love you’?

What do you mean by 'loose'? If you mean do I say it to anyone and everyone? No, I don't. But the people I love know I love them, and I'm not afraid to say it. On a friend level, I'll tell my friends I love them all the time. On a romantic level, I don't use 'I love you' lightly. It's a phrase with a lot of weight, so I don't say it unless I mean it.

WEIRDLY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS MEME

[celestexchangs]

What is the smallest, morally questionable choice you’ve made?

Stole pet supplies from a store in Allentown when I was taking care of strays when I was younger. Lied to my father about it and convinced my mother to help me lie? I don't know...I don't do a whole lot of morally questionable stuff, honestly.

WEIRDLY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS MEME

[celestexchangs]

From what I've gathered, most adorable fur babies know they're adorable and take full advantage of it lol. I can't say that I blame him, though. If I could convince people to cuddle with me just by being cute I would probably do the same ha. That's even more adorable; the fact that he sneers to tell you that you have underestimated him for the last time. I used to have a dog that would look at me the same way when I told him he couldn't come to class with me.

@celestexchangs replied to your post

One, he's adorable and I need to hold him immediately. Two, why is he sneering? Did you take his carrots? 😂

He is, and he knows it. I swear he uses his adorable charm to get people to cuddle him when we're in the park. 😅no, I didn't take his carrot. That sneer is his way of saying, 'You think this door is going to keep me in, ...funny human, think again.' right before he hops over it.

[celestexchangs]

MEET CELESTE

Full Name → Celeste Mae Chang

Age → 27

Birthday → December 27th, 1996

Order & Type → fifth, solo (adopted)

Gender & Pronouns → cis woman, she/her

Sexuality → heterosexual

Occupation → veterinary technician at Wizards of Paws Animal Hospital

THEIR STORY

(tw: plane crash, death) Growing up as the baby of the family was supposed to make life easy, and Celeste figured that in any other family that was probably true. In a normal family, the baby would probably be fairly spoiled and damn near able to get away with murder; at least, that's the way it was if she was going off of American television. But for Celeste, growing up had been very different. She'd been expected to keep her head down and do what she was told, and she was rarely trust to do anything on her own. Her parents, her father in particular, had her life mapped out for her by the age of five, and she was expected to follow that plan to the tee. Very rarely did her parents take her seriously or put effort into listening to what she had to say about something; oftentimes she felt like she wasn't really even allowed to have her own voice.

The problem with having her life mapped out for her was that Celeste had absolutely no interest in what her family had decided she would do. Their eldest son had already taken his own path in life, and while she was happy that he was doing something that made him happy it made her life that much more difficult; there was a time where she felt a bit of resentment towards him despite how much she loved him. She knew she'd never be able to do what he had done. It would disappoint her family too much, and she didn't think she could deal with that much guilt bearing down on her from her parents. Unfortunately, much like her eldest brother, she absolutely loved any and all types of animals. From a young age, whenever she found a stray animal she would bring them home to nurse them back to health, but her father put a harsh stop to that as soon as he realized exactly what was going on. She was going to be a lawyer whether she wanted to or not, and her time should be spent on 'things that mattered'; she had no time for foolish things like 'playing' with animals.

Instead of bringing the animals into her bedroom and hiding them in her closet, Celeste managed to find a way to take care of the animals with the help of her mother; what her father didn't know wouldn't hurt him her mother used to say in hushed whispers. They would devote a small section of the laundry room to her pets; her father never did anything with the laundry - that was always her mother's domain - so they could keep the animals there while Celeste nursed them back to health. It was by chance that Mike Sr. even found out about the secret hiding place, but as soon as he did things mildly exploded in the Chang household. After that, Celeste forcibly put her own dreams behind her.

At least, until she was about seventeen years old and her entire world was turned upside down.

Upon her father's direction, she had been cleaning out old files in his office when she found adoption paperwork. Initially she had jokingly thought that maybe she'd hit the jackpot and one of her siblings had been adopted; she loved all of her siblings, but they ribbed each other like normal siblings did. Maybe they'd just never told her one of the others was adopted. The smile that had been on her face dropped, though, when she flipped the file folder open and saw her name on the paperwork as she skimmed through the information. A million emotions had raced through her all at once, and she immediately confronted her parents about it. They had never told her that she wasn't one of them, and she wanted -- no, she deserved -- to know about her real family.

The discussion that followed was one of the only times that her father was actually gentle and kind. They explained that they never intended to hide the truth from her, but she had always been a part of their family - even before her adoption. The Olsons had been the Chang's closest friends; her mother had grown up with Julia. Mike and Julia explained that her parents were some of the best people they knew, and they'd been thrilled when the family moved in next door. Even more thrilled when Mae found out that she was pregnant with a little girl. Both of her parents were successful doctors, and when she was thirteen months old they were both assigned to a transplant team for one of the patients at the hospital that had to travel to procure the organs they needed. Unfortunately for all involved, the plane crashed partway through the journey; there were no survivors. The Olsons had named the Changs as Celeste's godparents, and they'd both been sensible enough to have Advanced Directives on file naming their desire for the Changs to adopt their baby girl should anything happen to them. She was so young that she'd integrated into their family flawlessly. They'd never intended to keep her adoption a secret, but they also never found a good time to tell her.

Learning the truth unlocked something inside of Celeste. She was still respectful of her parents, especially her father, but she was no longer going to put off her dreams any longer. She refused to live her life for anyone but herself. She didn't necessarily hate the idea of being a lawyer, it was almost guaranteed she would have had a great lucrative future, but she had no interest in the work. She wanted to do something with her life that she was going to enjoy doing; she fully believed in the idea that if you find a job you love and are passionate about, you'll never work a day in your life. When she announced that she intended to go to veterinary school, her father was having none of it. She was going to do what he wanted or she would be on her own. They weren't disowning her, but they certainly weren't going to pay for her to go to college or anything remotely connected to something that wasn't part of his 'plan' for her future.

Her father’s threat didn’t scare her. Celeste had perfect grades and a perfect GPA, and when it came down to it - her friends had been right when they told her that she had to start living her life for herself. She graduated high school shortly after she turned 18, and she left home as soon as she did. Her father had still been on her case about not following the path he had laid out for her future, and when he used the age-old 'if you're going to live under my roof' threat she called him on his bluff and moved out. She knew what she wanted to do with her life, she still fully intended on going to veterinary school, but she also wanted to get a little experience under her belt before attending; she wanted to know what exactly she was getting into. She moved into a studio apartment in Philly and took an entry-level job at an animal hospital there; she wanted a little more exposure to life than her parents had allowed her to have before.

She worked there for a little over a year before she applied to St. George’s University Veterinary School after a little push from some of her coworkers; it was in Grenada, an island in the West Indies just a little south of Puerto Rico, but they had an excellent veterinary program. It wasn't the number one school like she'd been expected to apply to growing up, but she didn't care. The school presented the perfect opportunity for her to experience more culture while learning to practice something she loved. After doing extensive research, she learned that her qualified for a scholarship that would pay for the entirety of her education; she only needed to pay for housing, food, and the basics. She already had a small nest egg from her savings over the last few years, and beyond that she could get a job locally to pay for everything else she needed.

While she'd moved out of the Chang house, she did remain in contact with her family over the years. Her parents weren't exactly thrilled that she was leaving the country for college, but nothing Mike Sr. said or did to discourage or dissuade her could change her mind. She was going to live her life for herself and no one else. She had expected her parents - her father in particular - to be unsupportive of her plans for the future, but what she hadn't expected was for her mother to whisper ‘I’m proud of you, they would have been too’ in her ear before she boarded her flight. Julia had always been supportive of her, even if it was in her own quiet manner where she didn’t necessarily push back against her husband, and the woman’s words meant everything to her.

Celeste has been gone for the last six years for her studies, coming back from time to time on holidays and such to visit her family. She graduated from the program approximately a year ago, but she decided to immerse herself in the Grenadian culture instead of going back to Bearcreek. Recently, though, she'd really been missing home so when the lease on her apartment came up, she finally made the decision to move home. Her experience while living in Grenada has definitely influenced her life, exposing her to all sorts of things she would not have seen before, and she easily found work as a veterinary technician at Wizard of Paws Animal Hospital. Eventually, she plans to open her own veterinary practice or maybe work solo for one of the ranches, but for now she is more than content to work somewhere she’s surrounded by animals. It was her dream come true.

[celestexchangs]

Events like this were one of the reasons that Celeste had chosen to come home to Bearcreek when she did. Granted, it wasn't the only reason, but it was a large one. She missed the small town events like the Carnival sponsored by the Fire Department. They had events and festivals in Grenada, but it just wasn't the same; they were always fun, but there was nothing quite like being home. Walking through the crowds with a fresh-made batch of cotton candy in one hand and a giant tie-dye dog under her other arm, she smiled as she watched the children running around. The fireworks were starting soon, and she had to admit she was excited for them. She hadn't seen an actual fireworks show in a while; even in Grenada at New Years, she could usually be found with her nose stuffed in a book. Making her way towards the area where the fireworks were going to be set off, she was stopped by the most adorable little girl who was excitedly asking where she'd gotten the stuffed animal from. Crouching down so that she was the same level as the child, she told the little girl how she'd won it by at the balloon darts game. She could see the disappointment in the girls eyes as soon as she mentioned the game, and sure enough she started sniffling about how she'd never win anything like that for a bunch of reasons. Looking over at the animal under her arm, she smiled at the little girl before offering the dog out to her, saying that one day she'd be big enough to win her own version then she could pay the gift forward for someone else. Standing back up, she popped a piece of cotton candy into her mouth with a smile as she watched the little girl run off towards her mother, screaming about how the nice pretty lady had given her the best gift ever; it reminded her of the little girl from Minions with the stuffed unicorn, and she couldn't help but laugh quietly. The fireworks starting soon was going make it an outstanding end to a great day.