#(they're required readings in class from a list but in small groups we get to decide which ones we wanna read at the time)

[ambersky0319]

Me? Actually really enjoying a book I'm reading in English? Pretty likely apparently!

[zephycluster]

Precolonial HWS SEA Rant Post, feel free to ignore

If you're still reading, then you're probably looking for evidence or some juicy tidbits to throw back at me or to try and find dirt to cancel me, like typical Tumblr/Twitter. Go ahead, I don't really care.

First off, let me just say that If you like Precolonial South-East Asia AUs, feel free to keep enjoying them. I will respectfully support your passions from afar. This post is just to explain why I don't like it, especially the way they keep insisting/portraying PH in it.

Still here? Then let me begin.

Since the recent confirmation that the ASEAN Six Majors (Can't really say ASEAN 10 atm since it's still missing some people) Were completed and the Ma-Phil-Indo Trio was included, there has been a large surge in 'Precolonial' fanarts and portrayals of South East Asians, those three especially.

Even long, long before, circa 2010's ish, a rather well-known fan universe known as 'Maaf' dealt with their story and how their Author thought their intertwined histories went. Written by (my best guesstimate) an Indonesian writer who wants to explore the old, SEA bond.

When I first stumbled across Maaf (I was in Highschool at the time, around age 16-ish), I took a casual interest in it and tried to read it through. But, I will wholeheartedly admit that at the time, Pre-Colonial cultures of South-East Asia in general, let alone Philippine, did not really interest me that much. The focus (I think) was mostly on Indonesia, a country I didn't really know back then, and the liberal use of 'ancient' names and artwork just made it feel like an entirely Original Work (that needed a degree in History to really appreciate) and not something from Hetalia. I also completely disagreed with what I could gather was the story's portrayal of PH but I'm getting ahead of myself.

Do I hate 'Maaf'? No, I don't hate it. Do I wish I never came across it or that it didn't exist? Of course not. Just because I didn't enjoy it or appreciate it that well doesn't mean I wish any ill toward it, its fans, or its creator.

Fast forward to April 2021, the long awaited inclusion of South East Asia to the canon Hetalia verse. I was happy, the other fans were happy, all was good.

Then started the questionable fanarts, fan theories and fan pairings.

Especially the expansion of Precolonial! PH.

Let's go back to Maaf for one moment. From what I understood of Maaf, PH there was a character who once was like all the other South East Asian cultures, trading with them, all around being a nice family.

But all that changed when the Spaniards attacked, so cry the precolonial buffs. They destroyed everything, ransacked and marginalized the tribes, erased everything that PH was!

Did that happen? ABSOLUTELY. The Spaniards had this vision in mind that they must spread Christianity to all of the 'savage, unchristian heathens' of their realm. :V /s

But back up a second, back to PH's portrayal in Maaf. The way she (yeah, she) was portrayed there was that she was slowly losing her memories of being a 'true' South East Asian and grew more and more westernized in the process, like some sort of Culture-specific Alzheimer's or something.

Firstly, that is seriously depressing, and secondly, I just really don't see that happening.

Here's why.

Point 1: Even before Colonial Masters, Filipinos as a people cannot agree on anything.

I'll just begin this segment with a Philippine proverb that outlines what Filipinos call 'Crab Mentality' or 'Crab Bucket Mentality'.

"You don't need a lid for a container when you're keeping multiple crabs. If you keep at least two crabs together, they will just pull each other down instead of helping each other up."

I don't know how it goes with Indonesian or Malaysian history class, but what I know of my homeland, both pre- and post-colonial history, we were never really 'united' or 'together' in the sense that Indonesia and Malaysia were (from what I assume).

Let me pull up a somewhat related question on r/AskHistorians.

The reason I brought this up as it shows the reasons why, in my opinion, a single entity that is 'Precolonial Philippines-tan' is an impossibility.

The answers are long and would extend this already long post to stupid proportions, so I'll just quote relevant sentences. The link is here for those that wanna deep-dive into the answer.

"All this to say that there wasn't a name used for the entire Philippine islands before the Philippines that people now would agree to. An interesting comparison would be the Holy Roman Empire, which might also be characterized as disparate politico-geographic groups of relatively small size that had a history of relations between each other, but one thing they had that the Philippines did not was a common language, or at least a family of mostly mutually intelligible languages, so that the name Deutschland or Germany isn't terribly offensive to anyone. If you called the Philippines the 'Lupang-Tagalog' or even 'Lupang-Tao' the other ethnic groups would protest."

For those in need of translation, 'Lupang Tagalog' means 'Land of the Tagalogs' and 'Lupang Tao' means 'Land of People', specifically. The first one is already exclusive and offensive, as the Tagalog peoples are but one of many ethnicities here.

And for the 'Lupang Tagalog' suggestion specifically, it's even more offensive as they are the majority ethnicity (not by much, just around 28%) From this chart from Geography Now! It would basically be alienating everyone else in the 72% remainder that isn't 'Tagalog'.

And even 'Lupang Tao', the most generic name in a local language you can think of, would be met with contempt because the name itself is in the Tagalog language.

Just travelling between two individual island groups today would sometimes require a translator because the words can change very rapidly and very drastically. Here's a sample of some differences coming from a friend living in Visayas (in Red) vs. the words I know living in Luzon (In blue).

Ate vs. Manang = Older Sister

Ibon vs. Pispis = Bird

Tumawa vs. Kadlaw = To laugh

Takot vs. Hadlok = Fear

Kain vs. Kaon = To eat

Ngayon vs. Subong = Now, at this point in time

Iyak vs. Hibi/Gibi = to cry

Talampakan vs. Tiil = Foot (in Tagalog, the word retains its 'body part AND unit of measurement' meaning)

Tulog vs. Tuyo = to sleep (Tuyo in Tagalog is either a dried salted fish or 'to dry')

The kicker is that just like Tagalog is just one of many languages here, so too is the language my friend speaks. Ask an entirely new person, like someone from Mindanao, they'll probably have an entirely new set of words.

It's not just Luzon vs. Visayas vs. Mindanao, either. Here's a map listing some of the ethnic groups here.

Even the way they're written differs from location to location.

While we're on the subject of Island divisions, a casual skim across Twitter and Tumblr has shown that their Precolonial PH has been one of the following ancient civilizations: Tondo, Butuan, Sugbu, Namayan. There may have been others but that was what I have found.

Notice how even today, the posters of Precolonial PH can't seem to agree on what he's supposed to be? With Indonesia it's either Majapahit or Srivijaya and Malaysia it's usually Malacca iirc.

What is the big deal? Well, let's go back to the Ask Historians post. "Why didn't the Philippines ever change its name to remove the colonial mark that being named after a Spanish King has?" The answer: "If you suggested something dating to precolonial times, the other ethnic groups would protest."

Since we're on a roll with maps, let me bring this up.

As you can see, the precolonial PH posts have a reason to not be able to agree on one thing, as there is a LOT of options. Do you also see how THAT list is also split up?

It's split up into those aligned with China (Sinified), aligned with India (Indianized), aligned with the Middle East (Islamicized), and no alignment (Animist). Now, let's go back to the main suggestions for which Kingdom/Polity/Civilization/whatever Modern Philippines used to be.

If the Filipino peoples' couldn't agree on something as simple as WHAT TO CALL THE LAND THEY'RE LIVING ON, what more a living, breathing, walking, talking entity that is supposed to be a beacon of all of their 'unified' culture? ESPECIALLY if that entity used to be a currently existing Kingdom/Polity/Rajahnate/Sultanate/whatever.

Tondo? "Of course, always the damn Tagalogs. Tagalog this, Tagalog that. First the capital city, then the language,* THE REST OF US EXIST, YOU KNOW! What about us in Visayas? Mindanao?"

*The national language known as 'Filipino' is just standardized Tagalog*

Butuan? "Wait, you want Butuan to represent us? They're they only Indian-aligned city in the Islam-majority Mindanao! They're not even that many of them! I'm not gonna change my religion!"

Sugbu, the other name for the Rajahnate of Cebu on the map? Lemme bring back my Visayan friend again. According to her, she hails from the Hiligaynon part of Visayas.

"Sure :v and the other islands are what?

Chopped liver?

Not to mention the language and writing barrier helloooo"

And Namayan? Well. I'll let this pic speak for itself.

To summarize, no matter who you pick as Modern PH's previous identity, it will not end well nor be accepted by the other Kingdoms at the time.

"So where does that leave Modern PH, he had to have been ONE of them, right?"

Well, not really. He doesn't HAVE to be one of the Ancient Kingdoms that lasted till the modern day. I mean, predecessor representatives exist in Hetalia canon, after all. Like Modern Greece is a different character from Ancient Greece, Ancient Egypt and Modern Egypt, heck even England and his brothers have a canon mother that was the rep before them.

Or you could even use the same logic that Germany does, in that each specific region has/had its own representative and that Modern!PH is just the 'mediator' between them (cause gawd does PH need one). There could be a Tondo, a Namayan, a Butuan, and a Sugbu, all arguing and this Proto-PH is just trying to make headway in making them all satisfied.

But, even after all this, there is another reason why I personally don't subscribe to the 'Precolonial PH' idea, and by tangential extension, the Indo x Phil pairing.

Point 2: Even without intending to, Precolonial Indo x Phil just comes off as patronizing

This second point is just ENTIRELY personal preference and barely has any facts to back it up.

Again, if you like the pairing and disagree with me, You do you. I will respectfully support you and your passions from a distance.

But for me, Indo being Phil's seme/bae/boyfriend and consistently bringing up precolonial times just comes off as patronizing.

Just one more time, I'd like to point out that I am NOT bashing Indonesia, its people or the subscribers of Indo x Phil. This is just how the pairing feels to ME specifically.

The way I see it, Indo x Phil as a pairing, especially if it extends back into precolonial times, reads the same way as a long-since married couple where the husband/wife CONSTANTLY brings up that ONE outing you had together, or that ONE prom night where you kissed while dancing, even it happened like 30 some-odd years ago and so much more happened since then.

Even in a platonic sense, It reads like two besties where one ALWAYS mentions stuff like 'Yeah but you looked so much cooler back in High School' or 'Back in Grade School you would've known that', or 'Remember back in Pre-school we did X? How could you forget that?'

How does one respond to the notion that no matter what you do now, it will never compare to a past you've already forgotten or barely remember? That the best version of 'you' is already long gone?

"That's because the westerners made you forget your culture! You gotta take it back!"

While it is true, yes, as a collective we barely remember the Kingdom that commissioned the Laguna Copperplate, or created the Banaue Rice Terraces, or created the millennia old bonds that we still share with Indonesia and Malaysia.

But to keep pushing the precolonial identity would be to neglect and cast aside the one REAL binding belief and culture that spans the entirety of these islands we call the Philippines.

We take on all the bad stuff that happens to us, conquer it, and make it our own. Be it natural disasters, foreign powers, or negative stereotypical mentalities.

Yes, we've forgotten the ancient kingdoms of old and are just now digging through the closet for those remnants of the past. Yes, the colonizers imposed that on us, and made us forget. But in the process we've also taken everything that they left behind, everything that they threw at us, and created something that can only come from us.

The lanterns that the Spaniards used to light the way to the morning masses they made us attend became our globally known symbol of Christmas. The junked vehicles that the Americans left behind in World War 2 are now rolling works of art that announce themselves loud and proud on the streets (for better or for worse). The iced dessert recipe that the Japanese forced us to learn while they were occupying the country is now so distinct and famous it is synonymous with us, and is so delicious even Italy has taken notice.

Even after all this? Even after all the 425-ish years total we have been under a foreign power, with all the progress we've made as a country, a people, and a nation, you would still imply our fragmented, jigsaw puzzle state of being in the past was better just because it was pure 'South East Asian' like everyone else?

We might not be as well put-together as Indonesia or Malaysia, but we made this melting pot of angry, leg-pulling, dogpiling, Native, Mestizo, Chinoy, and Fil-Am crabs OURS, damnit!

It's now 4:30 AM and I have work in 5 or so hours. I'll be going to sleep now.

[advacademy]

Best Fun Grid-Based Math Games that your Kids will Love!

Classroom games are a great way to increase engagement and make learning fun. In Advanced Academy Studies most children love to play in the classroom. However, it's not always easy to target all abilities with one game. Also, some games get old after you've played them a few times.

We are Here to Help With a Great List of Math Games for Elementary Students. 

Create a Life-Size Number Line

Number lines are wonderful for all kinds of math games and activities. Make one big enough for kids to stand and jump on using sidewalk chalk.

 Assemble Puzzles to Gain Number Sense

In early childhood education math students learn that figures can be represented in numerous ways. These free printable puzzles allow them to hone their skills.

Stand Up or Sit Down

Keep students' brains sharp with this jumping game. Students must stand when they read trouble and the answer is correct. They must keep quiet if the answer is incorrect. Put the teacher up against the class to make it more interesting. When the entire class gets it right, give them a point. When the class makes a mistake, award a point to the teacher.

Other options can be:

Get up when the number is even

When a number is a prime number, you should stand up.

Homemade Board Game

In small groups, invite the children to create their own board game. Demonstrate how to draw a “path” of snakes to follow and how to draw the squares. In each square, give them a math problem to put on the board. Then give them the slices and cubes and encourage them to play. Students can also put in some spaces that say "go back 2" or "miss a turn" to keep things interesting. 

Multiplication Square

This game is perfect for children who are just beginning to learn multiplication. To play, draw a square on a piece of paper and then fill it in with numbers from 1 to 9. Then assist your child in determining the product of each number (for example, 34=12). You can make the square bigger and more complex as they get better at multiplication.

Why Grid-Based Math Games are an Effective Way to Teach and Learn Math!

1. They are Perfect for Reinforcing Basic Math Concepts

Because grid-based math games focus on a specific concept (for example, multiplication), they are great for reinforcing what your child is learning in school.

2. They Encourage Social Interaction

Grid-based math games are regularly played with others, cultivating human contact and teamwork. This is a valuable skill for children to learn, the best CBSE School in Indore   especially as they get older and enter the workforce.

3. They are Portable and can be Played Anywhere.

Grid-based math games can be enjoyed at home, in the car, or even on a plane!

4. They are a Fun Way to Learn Math!

Let's face it, learning math can be boring. But grid-based math games are different, they are fun! This means that your child will be more engaged and she is more likely to retain what she is learning.

5. They Help Kids Develop Problem-Solving Skills.

Grid-based math games demand that children think strategically and solve problems. This assists them in acquiring skills in critical thinking that they can implement in other areas of their lives.

6. They're Just Plain Fun!

Games are just plain fun. And when something is fun, we are more likely to stick with it. This is especially true for children, who have shorter attention spans than adults. Kids can stay engaged and entertained by playing grid-based math games while learning valuable skills.

7. They can be Personalized to your Child's Specific Requirements.

Depending on the game you choose, you can make it as easy or challenging as you like. This makes them perfect for children of all ages and abilities.

[inmortalshapeshifter]

ok, i have around 35 minutes left on the batman 2022. and now, i believe is when we're going to get the inexplicable act of violence of the riddler flooding gotham like he's noah, despite every action previous pointing towards him knowing that the real enemy is people in power using said power to exploit the abject misery of gotham's people (misery that they are directly responsable for) to make even more money.

this had to happen because reasons. cant have the leftist radical making Too Much sense!

and before you @ me, yes it makes sense for the story they're telling. hopefully we get more character development for the bat in the sequel, because he is still wrong about a lot of things! but making villains revolutionaries and then pulling the rug from under us with a "HA! they tricked you! they just wanted to kill/they were jealous and resentful/they wanted to be the new oppressor/etc" is also part of a wider trend which i find very annoying. it just makes me wish i was reading commie trash fanfic instead 🤣

we can have stories that dont do this to us. that treat us like, yknow, intelligent people who can form their own opinions. the immortal hulk for example, which i havent read yet because my "to watch/read later" list is so long that i get anxious even thinking about it. no cheap tricks required baby!

now we're at the hotel room again! just saw the polaroids 🤣 those should be a new meme format :p martinez is here! "what are you doing here?" and bruce just stands there, ominously. that counts as an answer right? no wait. another mark for the "we accidentally made an autistic man" tally. he's tried to answer questions asked like this before (its not actually a question, they just want you to stop) and it got him yelled at so he just Doesnt.

martinez is trying to make small talk. oh god why. !!! i didnt know there was a tool for that. would have helped a lot to know when we installed carpet in my bedroom when i was 14 :/

"A REAL CHANGE" yeah, yeah, you're gonna recreate the flood, whatever. though i really like the akira and ryo thing the batman and the riddler have going. "hey guys :) thanks for all the comments :) special thanks for the tips on detonators :)" he's my comfort twitch streamer. aaaww he's getting emotional :3 he got radicalized by 4chan because he wanted friends is what we're going for?

he wants to kill miss real too, the other candidate for mayor who won by default, because her opponent got fucking murdered. he believes that it's all a lie and it's all gonna keep getting worse. very doomer.

i dont think electoralism and reform do much either, because you're constantly compromising with people who dont think X group deserves to live or just dont care/consider it an acceptable loss if X group dies. you spend so much time arguing that the people you try to help end up dying while waiting for you to gain ground through "the proper channels".

it only becomes less of a slog if there is a tangible threat to the interests (or lives) of the ruling class that could be pacified by making things less shit/better for marginalized groups. if he hadnt done a terrorism right at the end of the movie, the riddler and his supporters could have been that for bella real. a symbiotic relationship, even if they hold deep distaste for eachother, would have been incredibly useful for the people of gotham and would have led to the betterment of their quality of life...

but instead of holding her to her promises of change (which he could have done very easily, he's a smart boy and he's killed before, very publically) NO! LETS KILL HER *explodes the sea wall* there are problems murder and violence cannot solve, you cant stab rich people until social safety networks come out (well, you can. but the riddler did it wrong lol)