#But it's part of learning and on some level I feel grateful for that lesson too. ✨

[elitadream]

I hope you don't mind me asking this but I'm confused about something. Did you only do Mario art because it was a popular thing? Because it seemed like you thought a lot about it with headcanons and such

Quite the opposite! I ultimately stopped because my blog had gotten too big for my personal comfort, and also because it was occupying too much space inside my mind. 🥲 I was intensely invested in my personal vision of these characters; so much so that I was putting aside important things to accomodate time and energy for it.

And that wasn't healthy.

The previous communities I was in were very small by comparison. Private discord groups for the most part. I was still very new to sharing art with a broader audience when I joined the Mario fandom, and like I mentioned in my update, the effect that this had on me long-term was sadly far from beneficial.

I've always loved discussing headcanons and other concepts regarding the subjects I'm passionate about! And I still very much do. 🤲 But now I aim to do it in a way that feels more reasonable to me and doesn't obstruct my every day life. 🌱🌤️

[bettelaboure]

⊹Stolen peck?⊹ | Choi Seung-Hyun

third part in series "Course in Chemistry"

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⊹ Pairing: Choi Seung-Hyun x Reader

⊹ Warnings: mature language, sexual tension, teenage awkwardness and embarrassment, light discussion of intimacy and consent, some emotional sensitivity around academic self-worth

⊹ Summary: the reader reluctantly agrees to be tutored by awkward and quiet Seung-Hyun, she fullfil her side of the deal to be the one teaching him life’s more intimate lessons

⊹ ⊹ ⊹ ⊹ ⊹ ⊹ ⊹ ⊹ ⊹ ⊹ ⊹ ⊹ ⊹ ⊹

“There’s a lot more to attracting girls than just looking good and throwing out some lazy flirtation,” you said, arms folded. “Sure, that works on some people, but if you want to really be seen — like, remembered — you need more than surface-level charm.”

Seung-Hyun swallowed. “How much more?”

“Kissing, for example.” You leaned forward slightly. “If you’re good at it — and I mean really good — a girl will lose her breath and assume that what you’ve got going on with your mouth is just the beginning. Trust me on that. And I’m going to teach you.”

“Kiss you?” His voice cracked at the end, eyes wide.

You nodded. “Unless you'd rather keep practicing on your textbooks.” Honestly, you wouldn’t be surprised if he had.

“N-No. I just... I don’t know if it’s a good idea. I mean, I don’t even know you that well. What if you, like, have some disease? And I didn’t even take a mint, and I kinda don’t want my first kiss to be—”

You cut him off with a quick kiss. A single second. He jolted back like he’d been electrocuted.

“What the hell, Y/N?!”

“You didn’t die, did you? Sit the fuck back down.” You rolled your eyes.

“You kissed me without asking!”

You raised an eyebrow. “Seriously? That was barely more than a preschool peck. And what did you think this deal meant? I’m not about to hand you a fucking textbook on kissing, flirting, or sex. This is your part of the deal — like the grammar drills are mine.” He opened his mouth, but shut it again. He knew you were right.

“If it makes you feel any better,” you added with a smirk, “my first kiss was in first grade. Some kid with a runny nose smeared his snot all over my cheek. Be grateful you didn’t get that.”

He laughed, and some of the tension drained from his shoulders. “Sorry, I was just… surprised.”

“It’s okay.” You patted the spot next to you. He sat, more relaxed this time.

“So… was it okay?”

You snorted. “You mean that blink-of-an-eye moment where our lips barely touched? Yeah, sure. I’m Niagara Falls.”

He laughed, hand dragging nervously through his hair. The silence between you both stretched for a few beats before you spoke again.

“I’m going to kiss you again. And this time, longer.”

He looked at you and nodded, slowly.

“Relax. And for the love of God, breathe, Seung-Hyun.”

You shifted closer. His breath ghosted over your face, warm and shaky. You hadn’t expected to be nervous — it was just a kiss — but something about this felt strangely intimate. No tongue. No grabbing. Just… a kiss.

You pressed your lips to his again. He froze, but softened a little under the pressure. He was trying, but not responding. You pulled back.

“Now I want you to kiss me back this time.”

“How?”

“Just do what I did. Mirror it. Your body knows what to do — it’s instinct.”

You kissed him again, slower this time, giving him space to respond. This time, he did — hesitantly, but sweetly. He was picking it up. Fast.

“That was good,” you said softly. “Visual learner, huh?”

He shrugged. “I guess, when it comes to… physical stuff.”

“Figures.” You didn’t know anyone who’d learned to dance from a textbook.

“Ready to move on?”

He nodded.

“Okay. This next one’s like a middle school make-out. Nothing intense. Just follow my lead.”

You explained: kiss for a few seconds, pull back slightly, tilt left. Repeat. Then tilt right. It was a pattern. One he could follow.

He leaned in slower this time. He was watching your mouth, and this time, you could see he wanted it.

Your lips met again, and this time it felt… right. Natural. He responded in rhythm. No overthinking. Just instinct. His hands stayed stiff at his sides, though. You noticed.

Without speaking, you reached for one and guided it to your mid-back. His fingers spread automatically. Warm. Steady. The pressure of his palm pulled you closer.

There was a subtle taste of apple juice on his breath, barely there — like a memory lingering.

You let yourself melt into the kiss. His confidence grew. You felt his hand press firmer against your back. Your body leaned in naturally, mouth beginning to part, ready to go further—

—and then your phone blared, violently yanking you both back into reality.

You scrambled for it, saw the name: Jae-mi. Perfect timing.

“I need to…”

“Yeah. It’s okay,” Seung-Hyun said, straightening his shirt with shaky hands.

“What?” you snapped, answering the phone.

“GUESS WHAT THAT BASTARD YOUNG-BAE DID!” Jae-mi screamed. “You know how I got the whole drama club to vote for me for ‘Best Student’ in the yearbook? Well, guess what, he’s screwing the lead actress and telling everyone I had HERPES in sophomore year. HERPES, Y/N!”

You blinked, stunned. “Are you sure?”

“Yes! I have no votes now! They’re all voting for him! My life is over!”

“I’ll be there in fifteen,” you sighed, already grabbing your bag.

“Hurry!”

You hung up. “I have to go,” you told Seung-Hyun.

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah. Girl drama.” You gave him a small smile. “I’ll see you next time.”

—

“So… how was it?” Jae-mi was relentless the next day as you sat on the bleachers.

“How was what?”

“Smart and awkward — Seung-Hyun.”

You smirked, thinking about his flushed cheeks, his warm hands. “It was fine. We didn’t do much.”

Jae-mi raised a brow. “What did you do?”

“Kissed.”

“Like a makeout?”

“Kinda.”

“Tongue?”

You snorted. “Does he look like he can handle tongue?”

“Fair point.” She hummed and went back to her textbook. “When’s your next session?”

“Tomorrow evening.”

—

You stared at the cover of the book on the desk. Your stomach twisted.

“A 7th grade English book?” you said slowly.

“I think it could help.”

“For a 7th grader.” You glared. Was this a joke?

“I talked to Mr. Kim,” Seung-Hyun said. “He gave me some of your test papers—”

“You what? That’s a violation of my privacy!”

“I was trying to help! And I think I found the issue. You’re fine with future tenses. It’s the past and present that trip you.”

You stared at the book again. It looked childish in your hands. Weak. You hated how it made you feel — stupid. Small.

“I don’t want it.”

“Y/N, stop being stupid. It’s just a textbook.”

His words slammed into you. Did he even hear himself? You looked away, blinked hard.

People always said you were dramatic. Overreacting. But something about this just hurt.

“Can we do something else?” you asked, quietly.

He hesitated. “This… this was the plan.”

“I’ll just go, then.” You got up, grabbed your bag. But he followed.

“Wait!” he said quickly. You turned.

“What?”

He looked nervous again, shifting, hands gripping the ends of his sleeves. “What about your part of the deal?”

You stared at him. His flushed cheeks. The way he couldn’t meet your eyes. Maybe you did need to burn off the sting. A distraction.

You put the bag back down. “Okay,” you said softly. “Come sit.”

He did.

“What... what are we doing?”

“Tongue.”

His throat bobbed again. “Oh. Okay.”

You scooted closer. “I’m going to kiss you.”

He was ready for it this time.

When your lips touched, you immediately tasted mint. That little shit planned for this.

He kissed you back gently, awkwardly. One hand hovered uselessly, the other gripped the headboard. You pulled away.

“I don’t know what to do with my hands,” he admitted.

“That’s okay.” You took one hand and placed it on your back. The other, to your cheek. Warm. Steady.

“You okay with touching me?”

“Do you not want to touch me?”

“I-I…” He exhaled. “I do. I want to know.”

You nodded. “Then trust me.” You leaned in.

This time, when your lips met, neither of you hesitated.

You leaned in again, and this time, Seung-Hyun didn’t hesitate. The nerves were still there—you could feel them in the slight tremble of his fingers on your back—but he kissed you like he was listening. Not just to your words, but to your rhythm, your breath, the way you tilted your head and parted your lips like an unspoken invitation. He took it.

Your lips met and lingered. You deepened the kiss slowly, coaxing rather than commanding. His lips softened under yours, no longer stiff with uncertainty. When you parted your mouth just slightly, he mirrored you. His tongue brushed against yours—a little clumsy, hesitant, but there—and you let him feel what it meant to truly kiss someone, not just perform it.

You reached up and threaded your fingers into his hair, letting your nails gently graze his scalp. He shivered under the touch. Encouraged, he pulled you just a bit closer, hand pressing into your lower back, holding you like he was afraid you’d vanish if he let go. He was learning fast. His other hand, the one cupping your cheek, shifted slightly, thumb brushing against your skin with something that felt almost reverent.

You smiled into the kiss. He tasted like mint and something inherently boyish, like the vague sweetness of fruit and chapstick. You tilted your head and deepened the kiss again, letting your tongue slide over his just briefly before pulling back enough to breathe. His eyes were wide, his lips slightly swollen and parted, pupils blown with surprise—and something else. Want, maybe.

“Good,” you murmured, voice husky from the intensity. “That was good, Seung-Hyun.”

He looked like he was trying to find air. “You’re... You’re really good at that.”

You gave a short, amused laugh. “I’ve had practice.”

He swallowed hard, eyes flicking down to your lips again. “Can we... do it again?”

The question came out shy, almost embarrassed, but the way he looked at you told you he wasn’t asking just for technique. You didn’t answer with words—just leaned in and kissed him again. Slower this time. Deeper. His mouth responded in kind, more confident now, his hand exploring with more intent, spreading heat wherever he touched. His fingers flexed on your back like he couldn’t decide if he should pull you closer or hold still and memorize everything.

This kiss lasted longer. You felt yourself sinking into it, melting into the way his body molded to yours, his mouth moving with increasing ease against yours. When he kissed you this time, it wasn’t just copying—it was intuitive. He was getting it.

Eventually, you pulled back again, both of you breathing heavily. There was a beat of silence between you, charged and thick.

“You okay?” you asked softly.

He nodded. “Yeah. I just... I didn’t think kissing could feel like that.”

You smirked. “That’s because you’ve never done it right.”

He laughed, eyes bright, cheeks still flushed. “I’m starting to think this tutoring thing might be the best decision I ever made.”

You raised a brow. “Don’t get cocky. We’ve still got work to do.”

His lips quirked into a crooked smile, one that made your chest feel unexpectedly tight.

“Then I’m ready for the next lesson.”

You kissed him again—slow, deep, unhurried. You wanted him to feel it, really feel it. The way a kiss could pull someone under like a current. And he was feeling it.

This time, Seung-Hyun didn’t just react—he responded. His hands were more assured now, one at your waist, the other still cradling your cheek. His tongue moved cautiously, but with intent, matching your rhythm. The room felt smaller, warmer. His body pressed against yours and you let it, your knees nearly brushing.

That’s when you felt it—something shifting between you, not just metaphorically. He flinched slightly, as if even he only just noticed it, and you felt the sudden tension in his muscles.

Your lips broke apart, barely a breath away from his, and your eyes fluttered open.

His eyes were already wide, panicked. He realized you’d noticed.

You bit back a grin, but the slight twitch of your mouth gave you away.

“Oh my god,” he whispered, pulling back suddenly. “I—I didn’t mean to—I wasn’t—shit.”

He pushed off the bed so fast it almost made you fall back, stumbling across the room and fumbling to adjust his sweater lower. His face was beet red.

“Seung-Hyun.” You laughed, sitting up properly.

“I’m sorry!” he yelped, waving his hands like you were accusing him of something criminal. “I didn’t plan for that to happen! I swear!”

You couldn’t hold back the chuckle that bubbled up, genuine and amused but not unkind. “Relax. It’s literally a natural reaction.”

He shook his head frantically, already halfway to the door. “I’m gonna go splash cold water on my face. Or jump off the balcony. Haven’t decided yet.”

“Seung-Hyun—” You stood up, crossing your arms with a smirk, but your tone was softer now. “Hey. Come on. Don’t be dramatic.”

He turned back slightly, cheeks still burning. “You’re laughing at me.”

“I’m laughing because you’re cute when you panic,” you said honestly.

That only seemed to make it worse.

“God. Kill me.”

You stepped forward, stopping a few feet from him, still giving him space. “Look. It happens. Like… all the time. You’re a teenage boy and we were making out. What did you think was gonna happen?”

He opened his mouth to answer but clearly had no idea how to justify himself. You watched the gears in his brain try and fail to spin fast enough.

You shrugged, casual. “I’m not grossed out. I’m not offended. You’re fine.”

He groaned and hid his face in his hands. “I’m never going to recover from this.”

“Seung-Hyun, it’s just a boner. You didn’t confess your love to me or trip in front of the whole cafeteria.”

He peeked at you through his fingers.

“…That’s not comforting.”

You laughed again, walking over to pat his shoulder gently. “Go. Splash water. Breathe. Then come back and we’ll talk about boundaries next time so you don’t sprint across the room like I lit you on fire.”

“Noted,” he muttered, still dying inside.

“Also?” you added, smirking as you turned toward the door. “If you ever want to try kissing like that again… I don’t mind.”

You could practically hear the steam rising from his ears as he fled down the hallway.

Taglist: @redhoodedtoad @mirahyun @sherrayyyyy @sherxoo @dilfismz @breakmeoff @janie-osuih @forevervibezzzz1 @kuinnoa @juliskopf @maskedcrawford @szonyix6277@ldydeath

[beware-of-pity]

You believe me like a god (I destroy you like I am) IV

Masterlist

Previous Chapter - Next

Jacaerys Velaryon x reader

TW: Self-hatred/Implied Self Harm. Complicated family relations. The reader is a Targtower.

Cross-posted on Ao3

Chapter IV: "Angel" he calls me (Does he know that I'm falling?)

Your room had become a graveyard of memories, most of its belongings were those passed down to you from your late family members, and its latest additions were your mother’s, which you kept in a coffer, locked and sealed in the corner of the small vastness of your room.

The air was often stuffy as a result, and between Helaena's insect viewing screens and your mother’s piled embroidery works, you took every opportunity you were offered to be far away from it.

Jaehaera, on the other hand, viewed it almost as a playground, often roaming it as a labyrinth of a past she could not remember, a past that wasn’t hers. You attempted to show her Helaena’s needlework or her insects collection, anything that could keep the memory of her mother alive, but your little girl did not seem that interested. You had put the effort off for the while, waiting at least until she was grown enough to remember what you were showing and telling her.

Instead, it seemed that she had found a toy and companion in a doll you and Helaena used to play with at her age, shaped to the liking of your mother, with dark, auburn hair and brown eyes. You had let her have it and asked Rhaenyra for some new fabrics, for you to sew some new clothes for the doll, as its last were old and ragged.

Today, you were allowed out during your change of guard.

To leave the ‘vault’, as people would call it, the long keep with the slate roof behind the royal sept your family was confined in, was like a breath of fresh air, for however fresh the change could be, seeing the foul smell the city often carried with itself and it’s reputation. Thankfully, the gardens were exempted from such nullity and nuisance, the smell of freshly planted flowers making up for its environment.

Such a pity Jaehaera had to attend her lessons on such a beautiful sunny day. You were sure she would have liked the feel of the sun on her skin after so long inside, but you most of all understood how important her lessons were for her, actively encouraging her to go to them even on those days she would not wish to, taking her to the chamber where they would be held, hand in hand.

Were you both to be confined to the Keep for the rest of your lives with no hopes of seeing any change, then her wit would one day become her saving grace, and you would make sure she cultivated her talents in quantity.

Just as you had been made to do at her age, for the rest of your life by your mother.

From where you walked, you got a clear view of the inner courtyard, filled and bustling with activity. From servants and stable boys hanging around to high and low nobles promenading around, as they always did, as if they had nothing better to do.

You knew very well that that was not just what they were doing. The art of lingering around, present but never noticed, becoming part of the backdrop in people’s lives was something that, while you could not go unnoticed of doing, was something you had learned a thing or two about since the beginning of your confinement as Rhaenyra’s prisoner.

Steely but silent, never to make a sound too loud, that’s how you moved around the halls of the Keep, watching with your ever-curious eye. If there was one thing you were grateful to your mother for, it was for teaching you never to take people or anything by their surface level. A man, as common as they come, could be the Lord of the Seven Hells in disguise, and by putting up a good bravado, he could fool even the wisest, the most pious. The angel of death disguises itself as an angel of light. The gods shine bright their light among the most faithful to protect others from him, but even the gods’ gaze cannot reach where their light cannot overpower the dark. It was in your best interest to understand people and their motives, now more than ever when your survival depended on it.

You watched as the familiar figure of Jacaerys came from the double doors leading to the courtyard. He donned his riding gear, very clearly prepared to head to the dragonpit to visit Vermax and take him for a ride. You were about to call out for him, greeting him and calling out for a good morrow, having only seen him now since yesterday, but stopped when you realised he was not alone.

Baela and Rhaena followed soon after, walking out the doors donned in the same riding gears as him, a clear sign that they were going with him to ride their dragons too.

The laughs of the trio reached your ears as you watched them smile and chatter with one another, so content and carefree. So unlike you and your predicament. You wished to be with them, in your own gear, going to the dragonpit to ride Silverwing, who you missed dearly. But it was a common truth that you could not. A truth you could only turn into reality in your dreams, where you dreamt of sitting upon the leather saddle on her back, soaring to the skies as you once used to.

You clenched your hand involuntarily, the pain so evident as you felt the tips of your nails dig into your palm, so deep that had you not stopped yourself, you were sure to draw blood.

A feeling so dark and viscous twisted at your heart.

How was this fair? Why should you have to pay the price for the sins of others? You had been pardoned for your family’s crimes, why, then, were you not allowed to return to a life of normalcy? Why, after two years since the war’s end, were you still treated as a traitor would?

Jaehaera, too, a girl so young and so bright, of just ten years of age, isolated by the children of her age, was allowed only to familiarise herself with Rhaenyra’s youngest sons.

The reasons as to why pulled at your viscera. If they were doing this for reasons that you were not allowed to know, if they were hiding them from you, you knew it was because they, too, understood that you would not stand for them.

Everyone had witnessed in what was now being called the ‘Dance of the Dragons’ how destructive and deep the rage and anger of the Targaryens could be. You seemed meek, weakened as the years passed, but no one forgot who you were, as you never showed yourself to be passive to slights and insults thrown your way. You had to stand for yourself, now more than ever, when you had no one to do so for you, and with a rage running so deep? Some would say the perfect recipe for disaster.

A Targaryen whose blood of the dragons ran as deep as that of those that came before you and those that will come after, as hot and boiling as that of dragons made flesh.

One day you will wake from the ashes of your sleep and remember who you were. Today, was just not that day.

You had been promised that you and Jaehaera would be treated well, but you knew very well that promises meant nothing. They could be easily spoken, so easily broken, just as oaths had been during the war. or how much longer this would last, you could not know.

You were comfortable now but in the future? Who would assure you a life worthy of being called as such? Jacaerys? Jacaerys would be too busy being King to assure you continued to have the life he was making sure you had now, and if rumours of him being betrothed to Baela were to become true, who is to say his gaze would not be too hastily driven to his new wife rather than to his duties or his responsibilities.

Because that’s what you were, a responsibility, now belonging to his mother, your sister, but one day to become his.

Watching them walk up to the wheelhouse, with no sense of worry or care, made you only want to be able to have what they had more than anything.

You turned to walk in the opposite direction, turning your gaze from that which you had begun to crave once more, something you knew you would not be given, could not be given, as they always reminded you.

Unbeknown to your thoughts, your feet had led you towards the forest of the godswood. You had not noticed until the darkness of the shade washed over you, glimpses of light shining down at you from the cracks of the moving branches.

The rustling of the leaves by the wind calmed your thoughts, your hunger for what you craved, the anger for what you were denied. The chirping of distant birds, the murmur of crickets, and the washing of the waves of the Blackwater Bay created the perfect backdrop for your walk, but the fresh chill made for a cold reminder of the spring that had yet to come as you clinched to your frame your shawl, moving it over your shoulder from where it rested hanging on your elbows. The thick walls shut out the clamour of the castle, creating the perfect quiet for your unrested mind, despite your occasional shivers.

You allowed the silence to surround you, only broken by your and your guard’s steps, who, unlike your wishes, moved unsynchronised. Ser Rickard’s were heavier, not just made so by his weight and height but also by the heavy armoury he concealed his body with.

He who had first been in your mother’s services when Ser Criston had gone to march against Rhaenyra, who, surprisingly, had been allowed for him to retain his position as a member of the Kingsguard, now the Queensguard.

Though he was appointed as your sworn protector to get him out of her gaze, she was not too fond of having her late brother’s treacherous servitude anywhere near her.

Ser Rickard was always kind to you, taking care of you as a father would, perhaps better than yours had when he was still alive. Despite the strict orders he had been given about never letting his eyes off you on these particular and secluded walks, he allowed you the freedom you were deprived in the thick walls of the Red Keep, which were known to have ears and mouths to carry the whispers of misbehaviour far and wide.

As you sat upon a bench, he took some steps back, watching over you from the distance as you gazed over the bay set before you. The sea leading to the Gullet was filled with merchant ships from around the continent, Volantis, Lys, and Braavos, going in and out, carrying with them the well-being of the Capital and that of its people.

The godswood was empty, as it would be along the walls of the city of Southron gods. Hardly anyone came here to pray. Prayer would only fill the ears of the trees when a Stark or a northerner was nearby, otherwise, the tree would have to bear witness to secret escapades from young couples, whispered plots or your solitary walks. You suppose even the gods would grow bored of such entertainment. You were not much to look at in this state, after all. At least for them, for it seemed you had indeed caught the eye of someone.

The sound of leaves being crunched under heavy boots that did not belong to Ser Rickard made the both of you twist in alert, awaiting the reveal of the intruder of your quiet.

The man had not proved himself to be a stranger by any means; you knew him quite well, the familiarity between you two not a hidden knowledge to one another.

“Lord Reynford”  Reynford of House Redwyne, Lord of the Arbour, once ally of your brother and a kin of yours, though through which unmanned and distant cousin you had never met, you could not tell. You had a vague idea of why he was here as you acknowledged his presence.

“Forgive me, your grace, I did not mean to interrupt the quiet” his voice was gruff and slightly monotone, not giving away anything. He dressed richly, even for his age. His face clearly showed his age, a man of over two and fifty years of age, who carried himself well despite his tenure.

“It’s hardly quiet, wouldn’t you say?” You asked, the sound of the city below you two proving your point.

“So it would seem, though I meant you quiet. The city can hardly be disturbed when in itself is a cause for disturbance,” he said, walking closer.

With the tail of your eye, you spied Ser Rickard stepping closer, and you held up a hand, signalling for him not to.

He stopped in his tracks, unsure whether or not to listen to your silent command, which went against what he was instructed. Though he cared for you and gave you much relative freedom, he was always at the ready to prove his loyalty to the monarch he was now sworn to serve. You did not blame him for not wanting to so easily disobey the orders he had been given or to prove himself disloyal by the newly bound oath he had sworn. It was beyond his bounds to allow this conversation to continue, of the possible treachery that was sure to be whispered.

Still, now, you found yourself wanting to be selfish, wanting this thing to be given to you. Fortunately for you, it seemed that Ser Rickard understood you too well. He returned slowly to his previous posting, giving you and Lord Reynford space and privacy for your conversation. He would grant you this, only because of how wanting you seemed of it.

“Such a pity, that such beautiful day is to be disturbed by the cold of the wind” Lord Reynford now stood in front of you, clutching his hand behind his back. He wore a heavy, blue cloak with a red fur collar fastened with a pin in the shape of a burgundy grape cluster. A true Redwyne, he presented himself as such, showing others how proud he was of his heritage.

“How true you speak, but I suppose beautiful things are not often left untouched by the harshness of the world. Wouldn’t you say?” He seemed to ponder your words, though you could see he wasn’t really giving them much thought, his mind somewhere else altogether, perhaps to the reason why he was here.

“How right you are, you yourself are a great example of such saying,” he said, his voice low “I do remember how charming you looked in green, princess. How dreadful these black gowns make you look” he extended a hand to pull a stray lock of hair behind your ear.

“You flatter me,” you said, closing your eyes at the contact of his finger against your temple, wanting nothing more than to pull away, but not wanting to be impolite, something you were taught to be unacceptable against high and honourable lords “but those times are gone, my lord. You best make sure to forget of them”

“Nonsense, i could never forget such pretty sight” he disagreed “How I and many others wish to see it again, you cannot imagine, Princess” You watched as he shuffled closer “More than anything, that and much more. We all wish for your happiness and your desires to be fulfilled”

“And what would you know of my desires, my lord?” You asked, tilting your head in a slight show of defiance, but not against him, but rather his assumption.

“Nothing, unless you wish to share them with me” How clever of him, he had plotted it all it seemed, not leaving a single possibility in its wake.

“And tell me, Lord Reynford. Are you of the same cloth that Lord Peake was cut from?”

Unwin Peake, a man known for being willing to die to see his ambitions succeed. He wasn’t exactly subtle in his straying of hands, his overstepping, his overaching. The way he pushed his daughter, of just one and ten years of age, into befriending the eight and ten-man that was Jacaerys concealed anything but what he was truly after. Like any other man, Peake yearned for the throne, though he wasn’t exactly quiet about his wants or needs, which was why his plans had not unfolded in the way he wanted.

He had fought for your brother through the very end, and as such, he had approached you many times, trying to inspire rebellion in you, which you quickly and always turned him down for, at times rather harshly for his insistence. But it wasn��t your fault that he didn’t understand that you had no interest in opening old wounds unless necessary. Unless it be to protect yourself and Jaehaera.

“I would sooner allow you to take my life than be condemned to the same ring of the seven hells in which that man belongs in” he replied gruffly, almost offended by the comparison. But he was a smart man who understood the question you had just asked him. The meaning of your words was plain to see. Was he here to try and use you for your plans, or was he an ally, here to reassure you of his loyalty and, most of all, his eagerness to serve you?

“You must believe me, your grace. I wish for nothing more than to serve you in my capacities” The reassurance was much needed, and though you believe his words to be sincere, you were not too quick to fall for them. Any man could speak with enough sincerity to get what he wanted, and though a servant and faithful subject, he remained a man, and men are but deceiving creatures. He would have to prove himself first.

“Your words are as sweet as the wine that flows at your feasts,” you said, voice thick “almost….intoxicating, if said to the wrong person we can only imagine the damage they could cause”

“Then we must make sure they do not reach unwanted ears, no?” His eyes burned with hidden conviction, one only for you to see. Bearing witness only, were the trees. They were there, listening, silent, watching you two. The greenery of their leaves, the greenery of the grass, the shade reflecting such colour. Green, a colour so bright and so deep, the colour of living things, of life, of earthly change and of rot. So many rotten things were green, your family having been one of them.

“You said that my desires are ones you share” you tested him, wanting his reaction. He perked at your words, clearly listening intently to your coming request.

Remember this feeling, you told yourself, this is the moment you stop being the lamb to the slaughter.

You were blind. No, you had blinded yourself of the truth which had now come to the surface.

You were rotten, just like them, just as your family had been, just as much as the words you were speaking. How sweetly the fox speaks when it is being cornered by the hound.

“I want to be free”

Taglist: @esposadomd

If anyone wants to be added, please comment so, and you'll be tagged in the next chapter

[donascozylivingroom]

LET GO OF THE STRESS AND HUSTLE TO 'GET THERE'

I was scrolling through tiktok and i found a post by someone who told me if i am comfortable in my life i shouldn't be, because i am not working on my next level. i got annoyed and skipped, two videos later: "if u want to be more comfortable..." ... skip!

i'm tired of society convincing us where we are is not ok. i either must want to be more or less comfortable, never accept my life and improve upon the life i have right now with as tiny steps as i feel i can right now.

guess what - I AM COMFORTABLE! And I love it.

I used to be a master at hustling, doing everything i can to get my million dollars and NYC Penthouse. Manifesting didn t work for me until i learned to robotically affirm and persist, and since then i am getting everything i want. And yeah I still have resistance to 2 of my only big desires, everything else i'm getting affirming 1-3 times because i assume i only need to affirm once and i get it, i repeated that for a while and ever since manifestation has been so easy.

And yeah just because i didn t get my 2 main desires yet, I AM COMFORTABLE. I understand that those things I want so much are part of my soul lessons and why my soul came here. God/Source/myself before this life decided to make some things harder than others, and that's okay.

My whole life i was either uncomfortable because i didn t get something external, or worried - why am I so comfortable?

I learned to never do anything that is not easy because my plan for this life is to FLOW, but still i was fed by the media that i am not perfect as i am, or where i am. It's not true.

Wherever you are, it's your starting place, your zero point. And if you are experiencing it, you are probably meant to be there. I mean look around u in the present moment, not to your mind. Are you okay? You're meant to be here, boo.

How can you make your life more beautiful where you are? How can you be more grateful for what is around you? What you already have.

There s no rush, you don't have to get there tomorrow. I know when you are young it seems like you have to do everything very fast, and the speed of manifestation on this planet has improved since i was a kid, everything seems to be more light and fast, BUT...

There will probably be a few more years until the speed of manifestation will be instant, especially for every single thing.

You are part of a collective, a collective consciousness, and everyone must be on board until they push the START button from above 🤭😁

We are literally on this mission together, it's not just about you, it is about the ascension of Earth and its citizens.

Don't stress! Make it your job to relax whatever happens and you will see small improvement after small improvement which will lead to an easy, chilled life that is financially supported by the Universe enough that u have time to do your affirmations, your journaling, your shadow work, etc. Make it a habit to not stress, because stress is always misaligned since it doesn t feel good.

My life currently: affirming, journaling and pinteresting most of the day while in bed...earlier i did groceries and got a lot of things i love to eat and would be considered expensive where i live. Spent 120 euro today and i am in europe. I don't work. I only manifest haha. I'm yet to be at the financial level i want (one of my two desires i'm working on) but i still live a comfortable life, a life that energetically i wish i will have once i have lots and lots of money, because the vibes are amazing. I'd rather have this warm house and bed, friendships and good vibes than a view from the last floor in NYC from my bed, while ridden with anxiety and loneliness.

Ya know.. Everything will be ok, if you struggle to affirm meditate and try your affirmations just once to check how it feels with eyes closed within your inner being..and then check more affirmations one at a time... and ask yourself, your inner being: what do i really need? what do i really want? and when you are clear, then start repeating and manifesting.

good luck!

[bunnyluvx]

genshin as teachers! ♡

featuring: albedo, yanfei, yun jin & zhongli!

summary: what would the genshin characters be like as teachers?

warnings: a little bit of angst on zhongli's part. nothing else!

tags: modern fantasy au | albedo and zhongli are still old men bc i said so | queer and autistic albedo | slice of life | fluff? fluff. | a whole bunch of cuties tbh

a/n: hi everyone!! happy halloween and happy samhain to anyone who is celebrating!! if not then i hope you have a wonderful day! have some headcanons <3

date started: 4:58PM, october 27th, 2024. date finished: 3:50PM, october 31st, 2024.

divider credit: @thecutestgrotto | wc: 2.2k | ao3

albedo ♡

you'd think that because albedo is an alchemist in the game, that i would put him down as a science teacher. not this time around he's not! i see albedo as an art teacher! even though it is only a hobby for him, i really like the image of him passing his admiration for art onto the kids he teaches. i think that his love for the subject would really show in his teaching and captivate his students. he would inspire them to be better artists and when they come to visit him years later, many would tell him that he was the reason why they wanted to be better at art. it always warms his heart to hear that he has influenced the next generation, and it makes him even happier seeing how much they have progressed throughout the years. he definitely keeps up with as many of his older students as he can, follows them on social media and scrolls through their work with pride.

i think that he would teach high school kids, specifically ages 14-16. when he was first getting started with teaching, he did grow a soft spot for grade school children, but with high schoolers, he's able to have conversations with people who have a more in-depth understanding of the world. when they all aren't busy, he likes to talk to them about things that are personal to everyone to understand their thoughts, opinions, feelings and ideas. this is one of many things that he loves about his job, learning more about his students. every individual that he teaches are so fascinating in their own way, and having the opportunity to get to know them all is something that he feels grateful for everyday.

i don't really see him having a special nickname for his students, probably just "students", "class", "kids", etc.

albedo isn't too strict of a teacher, he does have his rules and enforces them accordingly but he isn't uptight necessarily. he allows phones, food, drinks, earbuds/headphones etc in his class as long as they do not become a distraction, but if he notices that anyone isn't paying attention to the lesson because of these things, then he will ask for them to be put away.

a big pet peeve of albedo's is when students don't clean up after themselves. there is no reason for them not to, and he does not have the time to tidy their messes. it typically isn't much of an issue, as many of his kids are respectful of the space they take up and the time they have, but when it does happen, he cannot help but be annoyed.

albedo is very beloved by his pupils. he accommodates all of his students as best as he can, and he does his best to ensure that he is a safe space for his kiddos to come to him whenever they need anything. he is particularly adored by his fellow queer and neurodivergent folk, for they can relate to him at that level. he is happy that his efforts of creating a safe place for the young people that he teaches have paid off, especially for those who are like him. many have called him their favorite teacher because of his detailed teaching style and open-mindedness, and he humbly accepts the honor.

albedo never had an interest in social media until his students started to beg him to download some. he agreed begrudgingly and downloaded a few, and was very rarely active on them until those kids graduated. it was only not long after that he started to become more active. he never really posts, but he does interact with their content and keeps up with them to soak in the pride of their development.

yanfei ♡

yanfei being a government teacher makes the most sense to me. she is very passionate about law, so i feel like being able to pass on that knowledge as to how it all works is something that she would find really fulfilling and exciting.

once again, i see yanfei teaching high school kids, ages 14-16. maybe a little younger, but it's a strong maybe. i feel like she would get along really well with the kids and it would be really fun for her.

i can see yanfei calling her students "lovelies" or "lovely people". i think she really adores her students and wants to make them feel special, so that's how she refers to them outside of all of the basic stuff.

yanfei isn't much of a strict teacher either, she does allow phones, headphones/earbuds, snacks, drinks etc in her classroom as long as it is in moderation. she is a bit stricter than albedo, though, because when the students are working, they are working. no dilly-dallying or distractions, if she catches someone that is getting distracted or straight-up not doing their work, she will remind them to stay on task or to get on task if they aren't. she never sounds mean or anything, she just wants everyone to stay focused.

something that really grinds yanfei's gears is deliberate disobedience. when she asks a student to put something away, and they refuse or even start to speak to her disrespectfully, she will start to lose it. she's pretty good at keeping a level head, she won't yell or rarely fights with her students, but it really tips her over the edge when she asks one of her kiddos to do something kindly and they respond rudely. she didn't do anything to deserve that treatment, so why she receives it sometimes is something that she will never understand. it's something that she's learned to deal with as she has progressed in her career, and it doesn't happen too often, but when it does, it puts her very on-edge.

yanfei is very straightforward in her teaching style. once a lesson has started, it has started and it is uncommon for her to get distracted while she is teaching. a lot of her students like this because it means that they can get their work done swiftly and without any disturbances, and it fills her with pride to know that they are so dedicated to their studies.

just because yanfei likes for her and her kiddos to remain focused during their learning time doesn't mean that she is always so serious. she will converse with the students and laugh with them, and tries to surprise them with fun lessons so that they can stay engaged in what she's teaching them. she'll take selfies with them and follows them on social media, even make tiktoks with them when they are done with their work! while she does take her time on the clock seriously, that doesn't mean that she won't have any fun or bond with her students in the process.

yun jin ♡

music teacher yun jin. need i say more?

i feel like yun jin would teach grade school children. the thought of her singing with the kids and passing her love for music onto them just makes my heart feel all warm and happy eyfbuw.

yun jin calls her students "little ones", "lovelies", maybe other endearing terms. she uses "little ones" the most and it's adorable. her eyes show how much she loves and cares for her students whenever she looks at them.

yun jin is not a very strict teacher, some say that she spoils her students a little bit too much. she brings in snacks, candies, stickers, and makes her lessons as fun for the children as she can!!!! she believes that they deserve all of the rewards in the world for their accomplishments, and maybe she does overdo it sometimes, but that does not mean that she is a pushover. while she does find it difficult to tell her kids no, she knows that it is essential to the classroom environment, so she will be firm with her boundaries, much to the kids' dismay.

as much as she loves to let the kids have fun with all of the different instruments and wants them to be creative, she is still teaching grade school children who aren't always aware of their volume. they get excited, therefore they get loud, and while she is pretty used to it, sometimes all of the instruments being played at the same time with high-pitched screeching small people scratches the chalkboard of her brain. especially if she has asked them to quiet down multiple times, and they don't listen/get louder. her students respect her, so they do try to mind their volume when she asks, but there are days where they aren't as mindful of the noise they're making. there have been times where she has had to leave the room for a few minutes because of how overstimulating it could be, or told the kids to put the instruments away since they weren't adhering to her instruction.

yun jin is the type of teacher who is almost always smiling. she is cheerful around everyone in the workplace, especially around the little ones. doing what she does everyday makes her so happy that she cannot help herself! she adores the children that she teaches with everything that she is. they are all so unique, smart and kind, and she feels so lucky that she gets to help them expand their knowledge about something that is so important in the world.

sometimes, when she is alone in her classroom, she likes to blast rock and roll music. some of the staff have caught her jamming out to it, and to say that they were surprised is an understatement. yun jin is so well-known for enjoying opera that no one would expect her to enjoy rock and roll. i think it would be funnier if the students found out because they would be asking her all sorts of questions and she would just have to laugh it off.

zhongli ♡

this man is a history teacher. he has been alive for many years, therefore he is able to give an accurate, detailed description of history that he will be passing forward, and he can connect with younger generations to understand the modern world.

i don't have any specific ideas for what age group zhongli would teach, because honestly, i feel as though he would be happy teaching any age group. he is so interested to learn more about the world that has come to be that i feel as though it wouldn't matter much to him. no age group in particular really sticks out to me either.

zhongli wouldn't have any special nicknames for his students. just the normal stuff.

zhongli is similar to yanfei, but i imagine that he is a bit more strict than her. not to say that he's extremely hung-up on his rules, but he is very firm about them. he is never disrespectful when he is enforcing the boundaries within his classroom, but he does make it clear that he will not be so easily swayed. i imagine that he may be a bit more loose if he was teaching younger children, but he wouldn't tolerate any misbehavior.

this is a little sad and i don't know how much of a "pet peeve" it can be considered but i think that one of zhongli's pet peeves is when his class isn't listening to him. he knows that he has a tendency to go on long rambles that not everybody understands, but when he feels like his students are straight-up ignoring him, it makes him a little sad. he wants to be able to share his thoughts and stories with the younger people, but when he gets cast to the side like that, he can't help but feel a little down. he corrects himself and gets back to subject if he or any of the students can even remember what he was talking about to begin with, and he does apologize for it, but it still disheartens him.

zhongli is a very fun teacher, i think. he has been doing this for so long that he knows exactly how to keep the students engaged in what he teaches them, and he has also mentally noted every trick in the book that any student has ever used on him, so that if there is a repeat of an event, he knows what's going on and how to respond. he is always willing to try new things on behalf of his kiddos, and he is very open-minded. it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be able to listen to zhongli's stories, so many of his students tune in whenever he starts talking, for they are very interested in hearing about one of plenty tales that he has to tell. he is someone that everybody could learn from, if only to give him the chance.

if zhongli was teaching older children, they would be begging him to get a phone. he never had one before his students began to beg him, plus he figured that he would end up needing one anyways. he didn't use it much at first, but that changed with time. he soon got to using social media, and now does all sorts of fun things on there with his students. he finds it a bit difficult to keep up with the newer trends, but he does his best and his students love him for it.

@BUNNYLUVX ,, all rights reserved. do not copy/plagiarize any of my works or submit it into ai. any and all support is appreciated! <3

[fafatile]

Sana’s ideal type.

I did this reading using oracle and tarot cards. Remember this reading is for entertainment purposes only, take everything with a grain of salt.

A theme that I see very strongly in the reading is yearning, so I’ll try to explain more in deep what I see. I think that’s quite possible that Sana already met her perfect partner, someone that ticks all the boxes of her ideal type. But I also think that’s possible that this relationship didn’t work out or never started. So she yearns for this person and maybe hopes to find someone similar or get back with this them. But I’ll start describing what I see for her ideal type:

I think Sana wants a smooth talker, someone that knows how to talk to people and win them, get their respect and just fit in. I see a social butterfly, someone that has a big circle of friends and knows how to network easily. Curiosity, someone that’s very curious about others and about the world in general, they have to be always in movement. I see a very touchy person, someone that’s very open and honest. This can also translate quite negative which could mean someone messy, they might lack boundaries. But focusing on the positives, someone intelligent, curious about learning more and very jovial so she might want a younger partner. I think Sana wants someone that still has some innocence or they view the world very positively. She might want someone that can lift her spirits when she’s feeling down, someone who can still give her hopes and support when she feels that everything is lost. I also think she wants someone who can help her to heal and she also would love to do the same for her partner. A partner that can change her and maybe teach her to view things from another perspective. The type of person I’m seeing here is very innocent if I’m honest.

With the next cards I see some change or maybe some duality. She wants someone masculine, strong, sensual. So I see someone strong and with confidence. So connecting both parts I think she wants someone with duality, they might have a certain type of look but their personality it’s very different. A way that I can describe this is a bad boy/girl that has a really big heart. I see the word heart of gold. So the person she might like to date is someone that acts one way with their friends, but with their partner they’re a total teddy bear. She likes someone that’s protective and very giving with their friends, family and colleagues. I also think she likes someone mysterious and someone that you have to peel off to really get them. She might believe in love at first sight, but getting to know someone to a deep level is not an easy thing. So she might like someone that takes things slowly or really wants to take off her mask.

I also see that she wants someone that is completely healed and very open about their past wounds. She loves people that share what they been through and how they have been able to get through it. She respects that type of people so she might gravitate towards very hardworking people, someone that had a hard life. I see someone very open and giving, yes, maybe in the past they were hurt but they forgave and moved on, all that stuff are lessons and they grateful they went through all of it. I see someone very resilient. Very wise, she hopes this person can guide her and give her some advice. She also loves helping others or just giving support to others so she might want someone similar to her in that sense. I see someone in constant movement, so she wants someone that might surprise her with a travel or maybe having time to visit her. I see very jovial energy, but I still think she might like someone with an old soul.

For her ideal partner I see a lot of heartbreak and this is something they overcame. I don’t know if this can translate to her and this person fixing some problems they had in the past. But like I said her ideal type is someone very resilient so she wants someone that can keep charming her everyday and if their connection doesn’t work out or it’s quite doomed she wants this person to try again and again. For what I see she likes people with some type of power.

For physical traits what I see are black hair, piercings, tattoos, cold energy, cat like eyes or vibe, CEO vibes or they might dress very formal so they look very cold. Duality.

Here are some songs that played while I was doing the reading.

[tarotmundomonde]

Your current karma general reading

First, I want to thank @lilstargazing for suggesting this topic to me. It wasn't one I had thought of but found it very interesting and so here we are!

pick a number 1-5 OR pick a colour: 1-blue 2-red 3-purple 4-yellow 5-green Hope you enjoy! And next will be "Your current karma in romantic love reading"!

1.Welcome to pile number 1. What comes to your current karma, a lot is about communication and the intellectual. Very strong throat chakra and sacral chakra activation, possibly healing those chakras or rebalancing those chakras could be needed. First of all, there could be some hidden motivations surrounding you. There is a strong focus on you claiming your independence and you being the real you. To be your authentic self, to express yourself. You could experience a lot of worry, but you need to overcome that. It seems you are called to do some shadow work, because you are meant to grow. Be mindful of what you feed your mind, the more you focus on the positive, the more the positive will expand. And a part of the shadow work is to become aware of your own hidden motives and what it is you are longing for. And then to find your north star, to find your inner light, to find yourself. It looks like also you are dealing with hunger. For example, you could have a bigger appetite, because you long for more in life or maybe you simply need to eat more healthily. It looks like you are also meant to take a step back, trust and start planning and strategizing. Whatever that would be about, maybe just about daily routines, maybe school or work. It does look like there is a very stong focus on strategizing. And on foreshadowing, predicting what's going to be next, or what's going to be someone else's next move. Also, what's simply the best strategy for you, for example at work or learning and study strategy. Indeed, it's a lot about clarity and clearing things, making space. Maybe literally you need to do some cleaning. And also to get organized, to get things organized, to put things in order and in the right places. Like making things easy for you to find them. There is also focus on service and on kindred partnerships. You are called to tap into the energy of grace and peace and blessings. And you seem to be learning about using power with wisdom. So you are possibly taught lessons about what is to be in your power and what is healthy. And also, it looks like a part of your current karma is that some change is coming or going on, transformation and joyous opportunities. Now, one more thing that came through for this pile is also celebrity. Like said before about being you, there is a reference about shining like a celebrity, to be the star you were born to be. To walk your path. Perhaps it's time for you to confront your fears of exposure, of being seen and noticed. To become a bit more bold and just be you and shine your own light. And as always, don't forget to leave some feedback, if it resonates with you.

2.Welcome to pile number 2. What comes to your current karma, there is a very strong presence of divine protection in your life at this time. There is also a great possibility that you could be into the supernatural at this time. You have a very strong lesson about denial and acceptance going on for you right now. You are definitely going through so many transformations at this time, so it's inevitable that you are experiencing some storms as well. It's life and it's also about stepping into life and to not be afraid of changes. Your life seems to be speeding up somehow. You are experiencing the phoenix effect in so many ways and on so many levels at this time. It seems like life could feel like quite the mystery to you at this time. Having to experience deep emotions and learning not to worry too much and learning to trust life. And learning how to find peace and how to create peace and how to be in peaceful energy. Learning to be grateful about peace, too. Peace is a huge theme for you right now. And then the phoenix effect as rising from the ashes aka taking your power back. To kinda rediscover yourself and to grow into a stronger you. Another big theme for you at this time is discovery and learning great lessons. Don't worry, you have spirit guides watching over you. For some of you, now is a time of studies. Maybe you are a student and so it seems that your studies are currently a big part of your current karma. You could feel drawn to libraries or bookstores or to school buildings or perhaps just generally to some specific types of architecture styles as well. Creativity and creation is a big theme as well. Creative thinking and creative solutions. Your current karma involves working harder and growing smarter. It's time for you to find new ways of solving problems. Whether it's just about some small tasks or situations. There is also a huge milestone for you in the cards. And one more thing is that you are learning that you'll always have what you need or find what you need. So you are taught lessons about gratitude, of assistance and that you have all you need. And as always, don't forget to leave some feedback, if it resonates with you.

3. Welcome to pile number 3. What comes to your current karma, it's like you've been disconnected from your spirit and so you are asked to reconnect with your spirit, with your higher self. There is a sense of much good impending, but delayed currently, because you need first space for you to reconnect with the divine. Third-eye activation came through for you, maybe you need to do some third-eye chakra cleansing and rebalancing. But at this time it is activated, so you could notice yourself having increased intuition and clear seeing and visions. You seem to also be dealing with some sort of power struggles. So a part of your current karma is to take your power back, step back into your power and the right use of power. So you are called to work on having healthy boundaries and also honesty came through for you. And also you are called to see the royal you, to work on your self-esteem and you are going through a time of self-esteem healing. One big theme that came through for you as well is patience and stillness. It's not the right time yet, so use this opportunity to also focus on resting and taking it easy. You might not fully realize it, but you are taking steps forward and moving forward, even if it doesn't seem so at this time. You do seem to have some collaboration going on or coming in. Passion also came through. So there is a focus on your passions like hobbies. Also, sacral chakra healing and rebalancing. One absolute big theme for you is the divine presence. You might be struggling with faith issues at this time, but it's all about finding faith and having faith. You have very strong divine protection present at this time. It seems to be very important that you know that. Now on a lighter side, you are called to become a magnet for love, light and joy. It really wants to enter your life, you are called to enter that energy space. There are magical moments awaiting you, miracles. And true love. And as always, don't forget to leave some feedback, if it resonates with you.

4.Welcome to pile number 4. This pile has heavy student vibes to it. It's very clear that this is a student pile. Your current karma is so clearly all about student life. For example it's pretty clear that you cannot advance in big steps, but instead you are required patience and to build little by little and in breaks. For example you have to focus on one semester at a time, on one exam period at a time. So a strong part of your current karma is studying and teachers and choices and consequences and creation and creativity and wisdom. In the end, this is all teaching you to walk your path and to trust you have the needed inner wisdom reguarding your student life and courage. And a part of you growing wiser is of course possible regrets, like the regret that you didn't study enough during the exam week. Things like that. And then endings. It's so much about preparations, plans, planning and routines. About knowing the outcomes you seek and what you are trying to manifest. It's a lot about using your mind and the intellectual, knowing the best learning methods for yourself and to tend to the small things, to pay attention to details. A lot of mental hard work. It seems a part of your current karma is to find and recognize your gifts and to not settle for less. And you seem to be dealing with so much new information, which is so typical for students. And as always, don't forget to leave some feedback, if it resonates with you.

5.Welcome to pile number 5. If you chose this pile, it seems you have a bit of everything going on at the moment. So what comes to your current karma, one thing is home. This could be about renovation or relocation or just home life in general. A part of your current karma is also status quo and obstacles. And a part of it is assistance and control. So it seems you also need to learn how to accept help from others. You seem to also need to focus more on your nourishment. It's not just about food, but also about what you consume online and through all media, what you feed yourself energetically, etc. You are taught about prioritizing self-care. And about judgment. It seems you are experiencing some level of enlightment at this time. Your wisdom is growing and you are starting to see some things more clearly. There is also a focus on increasing your knowledge, be it through school or taking classes perhaps. A very strong focus on relationships, including friends and colleagues. It's really about learning that you are not alone. There is a sense that you have your own team. A massive energy of unconditional and all-encompassing love being present in your life at this time, it's time for you to tap into it and to learn to feel such love with no judgment. You are learning about acceptance and serenity. And you are learning about life, about experiencing life, about living life. That life is about everything. And as always, don't forget to leave some feedback, if it resonates with you.

[mweothe11e]

Hi. This is my feedback for your latest tarot game.

First of all, thank you for the reading. When you mentioned staying true to my core/principles, it reasonated with me right away. Ever since I strengthened focusing on myself and maintaining boundaries with other people, I've cut-off lots of people from my life. I also distanced from a lot more. I took the time to get to know myself more to understand who I am at a deeper level, and as result, I don't want to compromise with anything concerning about myself anymore. I'm someone whose choices don't always make sense to people, and some view me "weak" for it because I don't go for the "flashier" choices in life. I don't take it personally as it's not my own issue, but I'm stricter with not letting myself be swayed by other people whose principles I don't agree/support with. When you mentioned about me not considering it as something worth-praising, I was actually shocked. You were right in a way that I don't think sticking to your principles is something to be commended for, but something you stand by for - that's why they're called principles/core values. I'm also the type of person who puts great emphasis on principles both on myself and other people. It's not that I'm not proud of myself but to me this seems to be...common sense?

However, you were right with it not being a trait of a lot of people as I've personally witnessed that too. Since I'm kind of passionate with my principles, I also get burned out more often than other people and it's something I'm trying to work on more. I also have a day where I do an everything shower. I actually started doing yoga last month but I had to stop for a while because of personal reasons but I'm making more conscious decisions regarding helping myself relax better. I also like to read books or watch series to help me relax (and gain more knowledge).

Anyway, this was an insightful reading. Thanks once again <33

Hi dear,

I'm really grateful you took the time to giving me a thorough feedback.

The journey through learning discernment and how to establish healthy boundaries the hard way tends to be a series of painful trials and errors which can be rather lonely if you are surrounded by people who are brought into your life to be your lessons.

Being firm with one's core values and beliefs requires more strength and resilience that isn't really talked about often because it isn't a glamorous path, nor was it ever meant to be easy. Yet the peace of mind and inner tranquility you've learned to nurture and cultivate is a gift unlike any other.

Being unmoving and impervious to the insidious blatant and passive aggressive underhanded manipulations of modern day society is the type of resolute and perseverance we all strive to acquire but so few are truly able to sustain.

It's not pretty, to not conform and be dissuaded by the toxicity in one's environment because it tends to bear fruits that leads to one's isolation and community's ostracization.

You are made to be a villain in the eyes of those who choose to conform and yield their power. It's not your fault that you know your worth, nor is it something to disregard as "common sense" because let's face it, there's nothing "common" about "common sense." It's only common to those who share the same beliefs, values, and interests as you.

The unfortunate reality is, not everyone is willing enough to persevere and stay in their authenticity because misery loves company so much it spreads and infects its toxicity guise as "being part of a community."

So, it's okay to not feel okay able being yourself sometimes. Especially when it's proven tricky to find like-minded individuals within walking distance.

A typical suggestion would be to leave your current city/country and move into a city/country that resonates with your values. Do some research, and if you can't afford it right now, if you truly value your sanity, create an actionable plan to get yourself out there.

You already know that it's not easy, and yet it' so worth it.

Thank you again for letting me know how your reading resonated with you.

I wish you all the best and please never give up being you, regardless of external societal pressure.

Your sanity is not worth risking just to pay the price of their acceptance.

So take care always, okay?

[gacmediadaily]

Danica McKellar has taken a step away from Los Angeles, but not her career.

The "Wonder Years" star moved to Tennessee a year ago, and the change of scenery has been refreshing. 

"Tennessee is a total quality of life improvement. It’s gorgeous, I love the seasons," McKellar told Fox News Digital. 

Danica McKellar told Fox News Digital her move to Tennessee is "a total quality of life improvement." (Astrida Valigorsky/Getty Images)

"Maybe it’s some sort of honeymoon period. I’ve been there about a year now, but I love all the seasons."

McKellar has also continued her journey with faith, a newer addition to her life that coincided with her move to Tennessee.

"I would not say I’ve embraced religion so much as relationship. I’ve found my faith, and it’s been an amazing life changer," she said. "I have this sense that everything’s going to be fine in a way that I never really had before."

McKellar said her newfound faith has been "an amazing life changer." (Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images)

"I am so grateful to Candace Cameron Bure for bringing me into this era of my life. She really had a lot to do with it," McKellar said. "Also my dad. He’s been a believer for a long time.

"It’s just been a beautiful, beautiful gift, and it feels so good, and I want everyone to have that feeling." 

McKellar’s also continuing her work in TV and film.

"I am just as busy in Tennessee as I was in Los Angeles because so much of everything that I do is virtual, online, preparing for projects," she explained. "I shoot my movies mostly in Canada. But I like to say that my view out the window is a lot prettier. And when I have to drive some place, it’s just a gorgeous drive."

The 48-year-old’s latest project, "Swing into Romance," premieres Saturday on Great American Family and gave her a chance to hit the dance floor again after appearing on season 18 of "Dancing with the Stars."

"‘Swing into Romance’ has three full-on ‘Dancing with the Stars’-level swing jive routines. It’s no joke," McKellar shared. 

"I rehearsed a ton. I took a lot of ice baths, also reminiscent of my time on ‘Dancing with the Stars.’ Something I learned, if you don’t want to hurt, then you take an ice bath after you dance. It’s unpleasant but it’s worth it."

Danica McKellar placed sixth during her season of "Dancing with the Stars" with partner Val Chmerkovskiy. (Adam Taylor/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)

McKellar was partnered with "DWTS" pro Val Chmerkovskiy and finished in sixth place during her season. The experience got her hooked on dance, and she said she "kept taking lessons after that because I just loved it so much."

The actress was able to discuss the movie thanks to an interim agreement through SAG-AFTRA, the actors' union still on strike, and the production company that produced "Swing into Romance."

"It's so great because I've been dying to talk about it," McKellar said. "I'm so grateful to Fran Drescher, our SAG-AFTRA president, for making these interim agreements possible.

"I’ve heard her say these interim agreements are part of her strategy for getting the big networks on board, so I’m so excited that me promoting my movie actually supports her efforts, and I’m really praying for a quick resolution at this point. I know it’s been a long time, I know a lot of people are out of work, and I’m really hopeful and I’m so grateful for all her efforts."

The movie also stars "DWTS" pro Gleb Savchenko, who is partnered with Oscar winner Mira Sorvino on the current season, and McKellar dropped by this week’s taping to cheer them on. 

"'Dancing With the Stars' is one of the craziest, most amazing experiences I’ve ever had. And I haven’t been back here in years. It’s really exciting to be back. I cannot wait to see everyone dance," she said.

"But that all prepared me for working with Gleb. And a few times, he said, ‘Hey I have to thank Val for preparing you so well because you still got it.’"

Savcehnko, in his first acting role, plays the ex-fiancé and ex-dance partner of McKellar’s character, and the two worked closely to prepare each other for the movie.

"I have to say, this was his first acting job, and he did amazing," McKellar said. "It was really fun because I got to coach him in acting. So, he was coaching me in dance, and I was coaching him in acting, and you’d never know it was his first movie. He did a fantastic job playing my ex-fiancé and ex-dance partner, and I can’t wait for you guys to see the movie."

Savchenko told Fox News Digital his character was "this Russian superhero in dance" and joked that, in his scenes, he has a "Russian ‘Terminator’ accent," a nod to his actual Russian roots. 

"It was incredible," he added. "I enjoyed every moment, every day, being on set. I came on set even when they were not my days to shoot just to learn. I was behind the scenes, I had earphones on just to listen and see the monitor, what they were doing how they were acting. It was almost like this month of an acting job was an acting boot camp for me.

"But, at the same time, I had a chance to train Danica and dance with her. And we had a lot of fun doing this, and she is so into dance."

"Swing into Romance" premieres on Great American Family Saturday, Oct. 7.

[real-goblin-p33]

I'm really excited !

the energy I feel around me lately has been excited, and it feels like something great and bad will happen.

we'll see, but I shouldn't dwell on it or I'll become miserable and stagnant again...

I'll focus on the feelings in my heart of things to look forward to...

(and also boring stuff >:( )

an example- this hellsing project is very fun, and helped me feel more confident in drawing and writing storyboards...

I'm excited to clarify more of my ideas and draw them :3

(the hellsing storyboard is one idea I have for an animation redraw, I'm working on some panels for that one now- but I have so many that need clarifed

feeling a bit more confident about my skill level, and learning not to bully myself,

it's feels so much more fun!

I'm looking forward to creating all my ideas someday :3

to inspire other people like how art did for me :3 )

seeing my drawings- actually allowing myself to try- instead of forcing myself to wait until I "know more" or "improve"-

just doing it anyway!!! and letting myself just **try** were part of important karmic lessons for my soul!

fighting these doubts is essential for me to find things in life worth living for<3

because they are impossible to see behind the clouds of doubt

also!

I'm even trying harder to make friends at work >:3

(when my depression gets worse, i like to be alone to process things.

i don't wanna bother anybody, not hat there's anyone to talk to haha, so I usually keep to myself

i don't mean to push people away, but I do when I'm not doing well

sometimes I say stuff and their reactions make me feel like they think I'm strange...

which is okay but hopefully they understand my intentions, haha

and I hope our hearts could connect:3

ooh also also

my printer/scanner is coming!

so I'm very excited for my projects,

and eventually start selling them!! >:3

I'm gonna get outta here someday!

I know it!

I'm working so hard to rewire my brain to feel like

hm

well, to want to do other things instead of the things that are just distractions...

i want to be able to focus on the things that make my heart pound, my soul ache, and my brain actually excited.

productive things that help me get closer to my goals and dreams!!

I'm trying so hard to stay on track,

and I'm finally at a point where

i don't feel shameful about what I make.

I worked through so much to finally be able to create without fear!

I'm grateful for the experiences the universe offered me to be able to learn, and make it here! >:3

i didn't even think I'd be alive right now- I thought this to myself yesterday, when I was feeling grateful to have my bedroom-

to even care or plan for my future!

for the first time in a while, the horizon looks bright and promising!!

and I really believe it!

i really can imagine myself living happily!

i can believe it will happen!

I'm pushing myself always to keep trying

it's been hard but it will be rewarding!<3

(the experiences along the way are rewarding too, but there are things I wanna do before I die- very important to me)

distracting thoughts and other private challenges are my obstacles right now-

because healing isn't linear, and some trauma takes a very long time to process...

I still have a long way to go!

I am planning on finding a counselor soon too!

i really really think that trying adhd meds will really help me be able to manage my life in a more focused and organized manner...

(my friend who takes them tells me she can *actually compartmentalize her thoughts and keep them organized!)

this will be so helpful, I think I'll probably explode aha-

to be able to finally actually focus, and have clear organized thoughts just makes me feel like I could melt, heavenly...

finally, I've worked through so much

so much

to process in my brain

to finally be at this point, where I'm actually excited!

i believe even harder now that this is happening!

the universe is guiding us in so many ways, always!

i hope to be more aware and see more signs... (to be able to focus better and stay grounded would really help... haha!)

even my crystals, tarot, and other signs are confirming I'm going the right way, I know it!<3

i have a lot to be grateful for, and

i am very excited :3 !

bruh I even literally bought apple sauce yesterdayyy and I'm boutta chug it

I'm so lucky !!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

your future is very bright, keep searching for the light!

good luck to you all!!!

~~~~☆

[brooklyndadshow]

Breathe

verb

take air into the lungs and then expel it, especially as a regular physiological process."breathe in through your nose"

I took a sleep test almost a decade ago. The results came back that I had a breathing obstruction event 40 times every hour. My oxygen plummeted down below 90 % at times and my snoring hit a decibel level I believe equivalent to a jack hammer. I was gasping for air in my sleep. Sometimes I would have dreams where I would wake up gasping for air.

Due to certain traumas in my past I also have this tendency to hold my breath a lot in the course of the day while I'm awake. I'm not sure anyone actually notices but sometimes I just sigh and let out the air because well you can only hold your breath so long.

It's funny that something as natural as breathing can be so challenging in my sleep and waking hours. I thought about this as I was thinking about what to write tonight. I took a deep breath to let my mind settle and find where I wanted to go to with my writing tonight. And I thought about how good it was to take a deep breath. I use the headspace app on my phone for meditation and one of the things they have you do every day is just 60 seconds of controlled breathing,

Sometimes I wish it wasn't so hard for me to just breathe. I'm grateful for my CPAP that I wear at night to help me breathe. Ladies Love CPAP Jamil is definitely the new LL COOL J. What's sexier than medical equipment at night. Seriously, though I am grateful. My day is so much better when I do my headspace breathing exercise. I think the breathing part of yoga practice might be my favorite part. Definitely it's my favorite part of meditating.

One of my favorite podcasts is Levar Burton Reads. Before he reads he asks everyone to take a breath with him. It's so cleansing and simple. Just go listen to it if you haven't already. I think I've posted some of his stories before in the course of the last month. Here's one to get you started.

So much of my life has been filled with tension - especially in the way that I approach work - I willingly lived a life that didn't have time to breathe. It got me a lot professionally but I do think about the cost - the oxygen that never got to fill my lungs and nourish my brain.

It's funny, some of the lessons learned at this point in life are simple but I feel have a profound effect on my mind and my body. Try it right now and you won't regret it. Set a time for one minute and slowly breathe in, hold it briefly, then breathe out, hold it, then breathe again.

That's the thing about getting older, sometimes as hard as things may seem you realize you just have to focus on the simple things.

[alokkashyap123]

How to manage stress as an Entrepreneur

Alok Kashyap | Hi! Let me self introduce, I am Alok Kashyap a tech professional with a vivid career as a program manager in The United States. Those who are close to me often say ”Automobile, tech, and passion for entrepreneurship are the three things that drive Alok Kashyap!”

Many of my colleagues and friends ask me “Is entrepreneurship stressful”?

Well, I wouldn't lie. Yes, it is. It is quite stressful.

I see many people at the top of the success ladder who deal with stress daily. Tracing their movements like a shadow, it lurks in wait to strike. Stress can become overwhelming and have repercussions if it is not properly controlled.

Recently, I attended a seminar, that had a group of professionals talking about the daily level of stress a person has to go through in his life whether they are a working professional or a businessman, or an entrepreneur. There, I gathered many points which has stayed with me, one of them is, that stress has a psychological impact that impairs even the most prosperous person's ability to function effectively. 

Here are some stress-reduction strategies that I have followed for a time to stay stress-free and perform at my best. I hope this works for you too.

Grateful - Appreciating what I have.

Always keeping in mind the positive aspects of the situation might help us cope with disappointment and stop worrying about the little things. Failure or misfortune does not take away from your successes or diminish the good things that did occur. The most effective defense against stress is a happy, healthy mindset. Maintain perspective, reflect on your progress, acknowledge your successes, and press on.

Remain concentrated on the greater things.

Keep in mind that perfection is not necessary. Examine things from a wider angle: Is progressing or paying attention to every last detail more crucial? Is the how less important than the why? You and your team don't have time for perfectionism when you're establishing an empire, as it's a draining process that eventually leads to burnout. Life is full of failures since no one is flawless. The most crucial lesson is to remember what counts in the long term and to learn from your failures.

The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

A strong team is your strenght. Reward achievement and hard effort with relationships; also, remember to move aside and let top achievers carry out their duties. Not only do you lack the time to try to control every minute aspect, but you also cannot control every single element. Your company will suffer if, after reading this, you believe that you DO have the time to oversee every small detail. You are not performing your duties. Trust is really important. You have to have faith in this individual if you hire them. Leave this individual alone to complete their work unless they are blatantly underperforming.

Attending to your own needs.

It is impossible to expect to be mentally good if you are not physically fit. Let's start with the fundamentals: Eat, sleep, and get moving. In particular, exercise aids in stress reduction. Create a workout regimen so that you can release all of your stored-up energy. Your mind can be opened and calmed by yoga or meditation, but ultimately, do what feels right for you. Sure, yoga is in, but if you'd rather run, box, or lift weights, then, by all means, do so. Engage in activities you enjoy and that relieve tension. 

Get away from the mundane.

Take some time to escape and enjoy a vacation. A shift in environment can help you see things from a fresh and new angle. Closing off the distractions of daily life will provide you with much-needed rest, as well as the chance to review your business objectives. Whether you decide to travel to meet new people and have new experiences, or to turn off your phone and spend three days alone at home, the act of disconnecting will help you reconnect with yourself.

Continue to have a support system.

Maintain relationships with people outside of your workplace. Don't keep your tension to yourself; share your life with others. See a therapist one-on-one or attend a support group if needed. Having a sacred space where you may confidentially discuss your ambitions, objectives, and worries is acceptable. Establish enduring, trustworthy relationships with people you feel comfortable confiding in. Remember to repay the favor by listening to their concerns as well. Writing down your emotions might also be beneficial. Eliminate the bad thoughts from your mind to avoid becoming stuck inside of it and being unable to escape.

Make a plan.

Make a plan and stick to it, whether it's for your business or a way to decompress. Share your business idea with others so they can support you. Collaborate to achieve a common objective. Make time for self-care in your schedule if you are concerned that you won't have enough. Making plans will help you stay on course. You'll be fully aware of your whereabouts and your destination. Concerned that you could forget something? Put it in writing. Maintain organization to reduce stress.

Stress management is crucial for entrepreneurs. You have to stop running because you will ultimately become exhausted. You are under a great deal of pressure, from both yourself and everyone around you. Although it could seem overwhelming, it doesn't have to be. An important distinction between less successful and successful entrepreneurs is how well they handle stress. Which would you rather be in charge of—stress or yourself?

[adjeif]

Week # 12 Progress

Hey everyone,

I just wanted to drop in and give you a quick update on how things are going with my online science and math tutoring business. It's been an exciting journey, and I'm thrilled to share some positive news with you all.

I've had the pleasure of working with two students recently, and I'm happy to report that their feedback has been fantastic. It's incredibly gratifying to hear that they're finding value in my sessions and that they're feeling more confident in their understanding of the subjects i am covering. Building that personal connection with each student has really paid off, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to play a part in their academic journey.

Of course, there are still challenges to overcome. Reaching a wider audience continues to be a goal, and I'm constantly exploring new ways to expand our reach and stand out from the competition. Balancing capacity and demand remains a juggling act, but I'm committed to maintaining the quality of our services while meeting the needs of our growing student base.

Despite the challenges, I'm feeling optimistic about the future of my project. Every day brings new opportunities for learning and growth, and I'm excited to see where this journey takes me. I've learned so much already about running a business, and I'm grateful for the chance to develop new skills and overcome obstacles along the way.

On a personal level, this journey has been incredibly rewarding. I've discovered strengths I didn't know I had and learned valuable lessons about perseverance and resilience. It's been a rollercoaster ride, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

I want to thank each and every one of you for your support and encouragement along the way. Your words mean the world to me, and I'm grateful to have you by my side as I continue to pursue my passion for education.

Stay tuned for more updates as I work together to make a difference in the lives of students everywhere.

[madudanielsblog]

week 13

Greetings, My African Food Chef community! I'm thrilled to reconnect with you all and provide an update on our culinary journey. So, settle in with your favorite beverage, and let's dive into the latest developments!

What's Working?

Let's start by celebrating our recent successes! Our community engagement has been thriving, and I'm truly grateful for each of you who has joined us on this flavorful adventure. Your passion, feedback, and support have been instrumental in driving the success of My African Food Chef. Whether it's sharing your own recipes or spreading the word about our platform, your contributions are invaluable.

Additionally, our recipe development efforts have been yielding delightful results. We've been experimenting with traditional African flavors and putting our own spin on classic dishes, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. It's incredibly gratifying to see people trying out our recipes in their own kitchens and sharing their delicious creations with us.

What's Not Working?

However, every journey has its challenges. One area where we're still striving to improve is in reaching new audiences. While our current community is engaged, I'm eager to connect with more food enthusiasts curious about African cuisine. We're actively working on refining our marketing strategies to attract and retain new users.

Furthermore, balancing the demands of growing a business with other commitments can sometimes feel like a juggling act. Some days, it seems like there aren't enough hours to tackle everything on our to-do list. However, we're committed to finding sustainable ways to manage our time and prioritize effectively.

How Do I Feel the Project Is Coming?

Reflecting on our journey so far, I couldn't be prouder of our progress. My African Food Chef started as a passion project driven by a love for African cuisine and a desire to share it with the world. Seeing that vision come to fruition has been incredibly rewarding. I'm continually inspired by the creativity and dedication of our team and the unwavering support of our community.

That said, I recognize that we're still in the early stages of our journey, and there's much more to accomplish. We're constantly pushing the boundaries, seeking innovation, improvement, and growth. I'm really excited to see where this journey leads us.

What Am I Learning About Running a Business?

Running a business is a continuous learning experience. Adaptability has emerged as a vital lesson. In the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, the ability to pivot and adjust course swiftly is crucial. Whether it's responding to community feedback, refining our business model, or navigating unforeseen challenges, flexibility is key.

Furthermore, collaboration has proven to be invaluable. Building a successful business is a collaborative effort. Surrounding ourselves with a talented, supportive team has made a significant difference. By leveraging each other's strengths and working towards a shared goal, we're achieving far more than we could individually.

What Am I Learning About Myself?

On a personal level, this journey has been a profound exploration of resilience and self-discovery. While moments of doubt and uncertainty have been abundant, they've taught me to trust my abilities and persevere, even when the path ahead seems daunting.

Embracing vulnerability and taking risks have also been transformative experiences. Launching My African Food Chef required a leap of faith, revealing that growth often lies beyond our comfort zones. By embracing the unknown, we open ourselves up to endless opportunities for learning, growth, and transformation.

In conclusion, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you who has been part of this incredible journey. Your support is invaluable, and we're honored to have you along for the ride. Here's to many more delightful adventures together!

Warm regards, DANIEL MADU Founder, My African Food Chef

[bradcrotchet]

Week Six

Starting week 6 I set out to learn 3 more rudiments and this would serve as the final week focusing on drums in the plan. During this week, whilst watching back some videos of me playing I realized that my timing and fluency and stamina are quite awful and grating to listen back to, I wouldn’t count this as a flaw in my plan however because even professional drummers have spent years and continue to practice rudiments. The rudiments I focused on were, pataflafla, ratamacue and 5 stroke roll. 5 stroke roll goes as, RRLLR and then you play the same but alternate, which would be LLRRL, keep in mind the last note should be accented. I recommend practicing your rudiments to a metronome, which is something I wish I had made a note of doing. Next up, is pataflafla, this one I found rather difficult to perform at anything but an extremely slow pace, the sticking pattern for this one is R(flam), L, R, L(flam). After that, is ratamacue, this one was quite fun and easy but probably sounded awful to an actual drummer. The ratamacue combines the single stroke four and a drag and is played as triplets. This sticking pattern is hard to explain especially at my amateur level rhythmical comprehension. Compared to the other rudiments I had learnt the ratamacue seemed to be most applicable to drum fills. On top of the rudiments this week, I also spent time playing other things and experimenting and began to feel as though my drumming had overall improved and felt confident to try new things.

Five stroke roll tutorial resource

Pataflafla tutorial resource

Ratamacue tutorial resource

During this week I reached the end of my grade one music theory syllabus and began learning my grade two, but I made a point to continue revising my grade one topics. Grade 2 expects you to learn more keys, more time signatures, and more scales (a more in depth look at minor scales). You are also expected to be able to convert between time signatures, so far this has been relatively easy, for instance, if you were to convert something in ¾ to 3/2 you would simply change the three crotchets to three minims and double the length of each note. However, doing more grade 2 lessons made me realize I had moved on from grade 1 too quickly and should have paced myself better. If I wasn’t splitting my focus over drums as well as keyboard and theory, I would probably progress at a greater rate considering that my music theory and keyboard development are well connected.

The next thing we need to learn for grade one theory is the stave. The stave is comprised of 5 lines, these lines and in between the lines are spaces to place notes, each part representing a different pitch. The pitch of these lines' changes depending on the clef. In treble clef the lines go as; E, G, B, D, F (this can be memorized as every good boy deserves fudge, the notes in between these can be memorized as F, A, C, E, (or face in the space). In bass clef, the lines are G, B, D, F, A (good bikes don’t fall apart), in between these lines it is A, C, E, G (all cows eat grass). These are the only clefs you need to know for grade one and treble clef is above middle c and bass clef is below it. 

Now we reach the final review point of the plan. My progress in music theory has been steady but slightly quicker than I'd expected and the past two weeks of rudiments and scales have been challenging but not too much so.

week 6

week 6.1

week 6.2

week 6.3

[breathenbounce]

I learned, now I teach

I completed my yoga teacher training last Saturday. It was a very bittersweet moment for me for months. I was in the company of people who I consider sisters now, and I really tore myself open and grew. 

In yoga That’s what we do we challenge ourselves on the mat. We find out who we really are. We may tremble and shake, but that’s all part of the process. That’s all part of the becoming of our True Self and find the path that we want to take on our journey 

Taking the journey is hard, finding the right path takes time however, everything in life worth having takes practice takes commitment takes dedication.  

I decided on becoming a yoga teacher and take this journey because I had a conversation with the facilitator, Jenn and I was talking about how I didn’t feel like I was qualified enough to be a teacher especially because I’m not the cover boy for yoga journal. Hell there are some poses I can’t even hit fully, but I had a desire to share this practice to bring people who suffer the same kind of behavior disorders that I do and I will do so and I will bring this practice to men and children because yoga is pure and yoga helps. You figure shit out because it doesn’t judge you it doesn’t bully you at its essence. It is about finding yourself finding your breath finding your identity and finding your life and that is exactly what happened to me when I completed the YTT.

I said that this level up shit and it was I feel a sense of purpose and power. After finishing this I found my voice. I found an ability to set boundaries. I found an ability to say what I mean and mean what I say which is something I was having difficulty with my whole life and yes, I can still get a little shy. I could still clam up one in a while, but I am practicing on that and working through that.

I am so grateful for this program, and all the lessons that I’ve learned I’ve also learned a whole new format of yoga, called slow burn, which I love and appreciate as it takes one of your senses away, which is sight and challenges you to find a way to complete your practice and a way that I’ve never experienced before. It was absolutely amazing.

I am very thankful to my classmates for helping me find myself. I am very grateful to Jenn for teaching me and helping me to grow.  I’m also very thankful to a handful of other yoga teachers, who are supportive and also helped me learn things as well. 

In life, if you’re giving opportunities to improve yourself don’t pass them up because we can improve. We can all get better. We can all learn more. I’m not done with my journey as I am still learning I am still walking and I am still going.

And I hope you keep going as well