#Enid Zuberi

[peace-coast-island]

#ChoicesCreates28: Choices Crossover

Title: Eshajōri (#LoveHacks) - Part 2 Summary: Eshajōri - “people meet, always part”; the concept that expresses the idea about the impermanence of all things, that every human relationship will end someday due to the transient nature of life. Part 2 of Julie’s article where she interviews various people she met around the world. Featuring MCs from TRR and THoBM and other OCs from HSS and HWU. (Part one)

Prompt: Talk about someone who is special to you. But not just anyone, it has to be someone who isn’t really a part of your life anymore. Think about this person and why they left an impact on you.

Enid Zuberi

About her: Hi, I’m Enid and I’m from New York. Currently in Cordonia and there’s a lot of things going on so I’m just here for the ride. I don’t know what to expect but at this point I’m prepared for almost anything that comes my way.

Her story: One person who meant a lot to me, and still does, is my best friend Ollie. We’re still close but he’s busy with is life while I’m busy with mine so we don’t really hang out as much anymore. We also had another friend, Sera, who passed away a few years back. The three of us were inseparable and I couldn’t have asked for better friends than these two.

I’ve known Ollie since we were little kids. He’s kind of like my little brother and I still kind of treat him like one and although he won’t admit it I think he kinda likes it when I fuss over him. We’re from completely different backgrounds as he comes from a wealthy family while I came from a middle class family. Since his parents usually leave him with the housekeepers, he’s usually at my place or Sera’s. My parents treated him like a son and did more for him than his actual parents, no offense to them, just stating the truth. Though I’m happy to say Ollie is civil with his parents, which isn’t much but it’s better than nothing.

In college we started sort of doing our own thing as I stayed close to home, Sera went to Eagle U in Eden Villa, and Ollie went to Harvard. Doing the summer we’d go to our special place, so we’d bring out a boat, go sailing until we get there and set up a picnic. But after Sera died, it was hard for me and Ollie to go back there because of the memories. We did eventually but it’s been a few years since then.

Anyway, Ollie and I are kind of in our own world. He’s busy with his family’s law firm and I’m out here. I’ve been texting him a lot since I came to Cordonia to keep him updated on everything. He’s been really supportive and I wouldn’t know what I’d do without him. Since this trip was kind of last minute, we were bummed that we didn’t have time to say goodbye and stuff. I really miss him and once I get back home, however long that takes, I’m gonna make plans for us to hang out more.

Finn Dobrev

About him: Hey my name’s Finn and I’m kinda new here. I just became an actor thanks to my pal Lauren, you might know her, she’s um… well she’s nice once you get to know her. My home is at Bubblerum, which is like in the middle of nowhere so like no one has heard of it.

His story: So I grew up with my brother Cloud, who’s a ghost. No, he wasn’t alive before, he’s part of this species of ghosts who are just…ghosts. I don’t think I explained that well. He’s um…a standalone ghost I guess. Anyway I grew up with him and our mother, who adopted us, which is how we met. We were like two peas in a pod because we were different. His species is endangered and I’m not like completely human. Seriously, look, my limbs are cyborg parts and also I can time travel. You want proof about time travel? I can show you!

(What happened behind the scenes, aka someone had to spend a few extra hours editing this since she had to cut a lot of stuff out while trying to make sense of this mess…

Finn: You want proof about time travel? I can show you!

Julie: Um…is that safe?

Finn: Sure it is! What’s the worst that could happen?

Julie: A lot of things, actually.

Finn: Don’t worry, I won’t pull you through a time loop, this will only take you a few years back.

Julie: Wait a minute. What do you mean time loop? And this is just an interview You don’t have to - and you’re gonna do it anyway…

Time travel stuff happens. Surprisingly nothing is destroyed and everything is back to normal.

Finn: How’s that for the article?

Julie: Yeah I’m afraid i’m gonna have to cut that out.

Finn: Well the time travel is actually relevant to my story. And the time loop thing. It’s actually a very long story…

He wasn’t kidding)

So about the time loop thing. Cloud and I accidentally released this evil spirit which attacked this island where I found my bio mom and my sister, who I never knew because we were separated a long time ago, and that’s another story so I’m gonna skip that part. Anyway evil spirit destroyed the island several times. So Cloud and I decided to be heroes, well we kind of are back in Bubblerum and I should really get back to the main story.

Okay so Cloud and I locked the island in a time loop because if we didn’t the whole island would be dead and i wouldn’t be here talking to you. By doing that we went back in time several days before the attack so we could have another chance at defeating the evil spirit. And if we all get killed, the timeline resets so we can try again. Except it took like bajillion tries and for a while it seemed like no matter what we did it was hopeless and we kept dying horrible deaths. Time travel is pretty complicated, especially when you remember everything that didn’t happen.

And guess who broke the time loop and freed us from all these horrible deaths? It was Cloud, who sacrificed himself to destroy the evil spirit at the cost of his own life. By then it was like our final chance because you can only do so many do-overs so it was a lot of pressure. Cloud was a brave guy, the only one who has stuck with me for so long, so now it feels kinda weird without him. At least he died a hero, just like he always wanted. Google “Cloud the ghost fights evil spirit” if you want to know more about it, but ignore the articles by DailyTango because they never get their facts right, including our names.

Aminta Beaumont

About her: I’m Aminta, I live in Evergreen Oaks and I’m currently taking a gap year. I’m a student at Hartford majoring in finance with a minor in psychology and I hope to run my own accounting firm one day.

Her story: About a year ago I was going through a rough time in my life. And then I met Eleanor, who helped me open my eyes and face my problems. Although we only knew each other for a short time, our lives weren’t the same after that. It’s one of those little things that may not seem obvious but it ends up leaving something big.

When I first met Eleanor, I was lost and scared. I was haunted by my brother’s death and it was difficult. Eleanor was going through a rough time too as she went through a lot and goes to great lengths to take care of her siblings. The fact that we both were dragged down by our pasts brought us together.

For a while I stayed with Eleanor and became a caretaker for her siblings Clarissa, Thomas, and Simon. It took a while for them to warm up to me, can’t blame them though since I was a complete stranger who suddenly appeared, but soon it was like I was part of their family. For the first time in what seemed like forever, I didn’t feel like I was being weighed down or held back. But at the same time I knew that I was supposed to be looking for answers and for a way to put my past behind.

Confronting my demons wasn’t easy but I knew that I couldn’t keep running away. Eleanor was the type of person who was selfless, always giving and willing to protect her siblings no matter what. That’s another thing we had in common, wanting to protect our families because the truth was too painful. So we take that truth and carry it ourselves, shouldering the burden so no one else would. We had good intentions but even that can do more harm than good. Once we opened up, the burden fell away.

After that we went our separate ways. I didn’t know her for long but at the same time it felt like we spend a lifetime together. I wish we had more time together but it was time for us to start living again and our paths just don’t cross. I still think about her and the kids from time to time, wondering how they’re doing now. Maybe one day our paths will cross again but for now I hope she’s happy and at peace.

Viktor Maksimov

About him: My name’s Viktor, I’m from Moscow and staying with my aunt in Peace Coast Island. I’m an athlete, which is another reason why I’m here and I like to do gymnastics, sing, dance, and skate.

His story: My mother was my number one supporter. She encouraged me to work hard, do my best, go for the gold, all that motivating stuff. I’m a competitive athlete so I travel a lot, and no matter what, my mom was always there. We come from a family of competitive athletes, my mother and my aunt were dancers. Mom retired after getting married and later became a dance instructor. You might have heard of my aunt, Anna Nikolaev, the one who was on that show Cooking Competitor. So, yeah, we’re a pretty athletic family.

It’s been over a year since the worst day of my life, and that was Mom’s death. She went to watch my aunt perform at Nationals while the rest of us watched the competition through a livestream. On the way back to the hotel they got into a bad car accident that involved two other cars. Mom didn’t make it, Anna and her dance instructor were badly injured. It was a difficult time knowing that Mom was gone and Anna’s life was hanging by a thread.

I think it was Mom who helped me through that difficult time. Or at least her memory. It’s not easy being a competitive athlete and there were times when I wanted to quit because the pressure was too much. Mom was the one who helped me when I felt that way. She taught me how to confront my fears. That it was okay to be scared and unsure. That even when things don’t go well, in the end everything will work out. She also taught me how to deal with stress like through meditation and mindfulness. The first few months without her were tough but by remembering what she taught, I somehow managed to pull through.

So Mom, wherever you are, I hope I can make you proud. You’ve done so much for me and I want to return the favor.

Sapphire Landry

About her: Name’s Sapphire. I live in Peace Coast Island with my besties Spencer and Steven. I like to sing and dance and I have a big sweet tooth. Trilingual, blind right eye, lazy, musically inclined, fashionista, sassy, I think you get my personality.

Her story: A long time ago, okay so not that long ago, I had a partner in crime. Her name was Lizzie and she was my BFF. As you can tell from the fact that I used past tense, she is sadly no longer with us. I still find it hard to believe.

This actually happened a long time ago, four years, when our lives changed forever. By accident Lizzie and I became time travelers. No, seriously we were doing a project, accidentally knocked something over, stuff exploded, we woke up in a hospital and bam! time travel. I’d show you but my powers are kind of unstable but it’s been a while so maybe it’ll be okay. Here I go…

(Julie: That won’t be necessary, thank you. So I’m guessing time travel is relevant to the story?

Sapphire: Yeah, probably bad idea… Besides my powers are kinda inactive, not since the illness but that’s another thing but it’s also kinda relevant…)

So we become time travelers but because of how we got our powers it means that we’re unpredictable. But no worries, we went along with this time travel scientist and her son Spencer who was our classmate so we got things under control. Well most of the time. The four of us were a great team!

Then last year, things went downhill. We lost half the team so Spencer and I were left. His mother took us to a clinic, can’t remember too much about it, but there was some mystery illness causing an epidemic. No one knew how bad it was until it was too late. We were visiting Spencer’s father, who’s a huge jerk by the way, and then we all got sick. There was nothing the doctors could do and Lizzie died. I never even got to say goodbye.

Lizzie was more than a best friend, she was a sister. I practically lived with her, in fact I tried but ended up getting in trouble. We were always attached by the hip, maybe sometimes a bit too close. She was the one who kept me out of trouble even though we ended up in it anyway. She always knew what to do when things got chaotic. Hell, I even miss the things I don’t like about her like when she nags about things or go all snarky when she’s mad. She was one of a kind.

Losing her was like losing a huge part of me. We were always known as Lizzie and Sapphy. Now it’s just Sapphy. I’m still not used to it but I’m trying.

You know, maybe it’s a good thing Lizzie isn’t here right now because if she heard what I just said about her and being all mushy and stuff I bet she’ll make fun of me for it!

Owen Rahajaro

About him: I’m Owen and I’m a student at Hollywood U and a regular performer at Starlight Theater. I like to sing, act, dance, and perform stunts. Starlight has been my home for over seven years and I recommend if you have the time, stop by and watch a show.

His story: Growing up I was raised by my father, who was a traveling musician. He’d visit many places, playing his sitar. I was surrounded by music so obviously my life revolved around that. We didn’t have much except for each other, and music, of course and that was more than enough.

Dad passed away when I was nine after being ill for months. By then we settled in London where he became a teacher. His health had been slowly declining by then, which is why he decided to stop traveling. I didn’t find out about that until much later, after he died. I remember pacing around the hospital, not fully understanding what was going on expect that my father was very sick. Never in my life had I felt so scared.

It’s still painful to talk about his final weeks. Seeing my lively and outgoing father lying in a hospital bed with tubes and wires attached to him, is something that will always be hard to think about. But I didn’t want his last memories to see his son sad and scared so I did my best to make him happy. Because if he was happy, then so was I. He did a lot for me and now that he wasn’t going to be here for much longer scared him. I made a promise to him and to myself that I would be strong and I’m still keeping to my word.

One thing I remember about my dad’s final weeks was how much he talked about my mother. She died when I was a baby so all I have is pictures of her and stories dad told me about her. During long nights at the hospital, he told me about her, things that you don’t hear in stories. Like how she started the day by opening the curtains wide open to bring in the sunlight or that she was a perfectionist who would spend hours banging on piano keys writing a song and driving her neighbors crazy in the process. It was then I realized that soon he won’t be here anymore.

Sometimes it’s hard to believe that he’s been gone for almost fourteen years. There are days when I can remember him clearly and days when I struggle to remember. He was a big part of my life and I miss him every day. I bet he’s happy up there with mom.

[peace-coast-island]

#ChoicesCreates: Novo Amor’s HOLLAND

Title: Poudrerie (The Royal Romance) Summary: Poudrerie - fallen snow blown by the wind from the ground, appearing like fine powdery particles across the streets and highways. Winter has come for Enid Zuberi (MC) when she met Hana Lee.

@hollyashton @jessicamckenzie

When I went to Cordonia, I never expected a fairy tale ending.

Truth be told, I wasn’t a damsel in distress or someone in need of an escape. I was just like any other person trying to make a living in this world. The last thing I expected, or wanted, was to be swept off my feet by a prince. Although the idea sounded nice, it’s not a future I can picture for myself.

I was supposed to be here for one thing, as I was told over and over again. It would be nice to get know about the events instead of being surprised but at least I did well with what I have. I knew all this time that I wasn’t on the same league as the other suitors but hey, at least I had a good time. Winning the prince’s heart was never my objective, being his friend matters more than the possible future I could have as a queen.

Instead of a prince galloping in on a majestic white horse, someone else waltzed into my heart. From the day we met, I knew we were going to become great friends. Then as time went on, I found myself thinking of her constantly. From our hands brushing when we went out for cronuts, hanging out with her on the yacht, and sharing a close moment with her on the piano, I began to feel something blossom between us.

Liam is the spring, a soft gentle breeze with grassy green hills full of colorful flowers. In the distance there is a castle by the sea, surrounded by light blue skies and dark blue water. It’s a scene out of a fairy tale, the place where the grass is always greener. Sounds like a dream come true, right?

And it is. Maybe it’s too good to be true. But it’s not for me.

Hana, on the other hand, is the winter, a light, powdery snowfall that blankets everything in glittery white. Like a snowflake, she is unique, but like snow, she is lost in a sea of ice. If you look closely, you can see a bright red rose under the surface. In a world of gray skies and white snow, you learn how to appreciate the little things. A lone flower in the snow, despite the cold, she continues to bloom unappreciated.

Most people always dread a long winter and look forward to the spring. I say you can’t have one without the other or else you can’t really appreciate them. I thought I belonged in the spring, where the birds sing and everything is blooming with life. Then winter came and it was like I was seeing it for the first time. Instead of trying to avoid the cold, I stayed and watch the snow fall. And when I did, I found something beautiful, a hidden treasure.

This is my story. There’s no princess or prince, a whirlwind romance, or a spell that must be broken. No, this is the story of two people, the commoner and the winter rose. In the spring they’d be lost in the shuffle of wildflowers and grass or the corridors of a castle. In the winter it’s just the two of them and that’s more than enough to keep each other warm. This is the beginning of our fairy tale.

[peace-coast-island]

#ChoicesCreates: Any Disney song

Title: Aubade (TF, ES, RoE, THoBM, LH, TRR) Summary: Aubade - song or poem appropriate to or greeting the dawn. A compilation of short pieces. I did my best to keep with the melody. Since it’s a lengthy piece I only did 4 verses for each song. Enjoy! 

Can You Feel the Love Tonight (TRR) - Enid x Hana

Go the Distance (#LH) - Julie and her dreams

I See the Light (THoBM) - Aminta moving on after events of the story

Reflection (RoE) - Rose has doubts about herself

When Will My Life Begin (RoE) - How Lotty starts out her days

Part of Your World (RoE) - Clare considers about her future

I Won’t Say I’m in Love (RoE) - Ash x Elena

A Whole New World (ES) - Kieran x Jake

Two Worlds (TF) - Acacia is torn between the city and her hometown

@hollyashton @mermaidwarriorqueen

Can You Feel the Love Tonight (Enid Zuberi - The Royal Romance, MC x Hana)

Can you feel the love tonight? The way that time slows for us Just the two of us, right where we’re supposed to be Locked in love’s embrace

Thoughts running through my mind Those feelings that I can’t hide But am I willing to take a chance? I don’t know If only she’d open up to me

Behind her smile, she hides But still, I can see her shine Why can’t the world see her as who she is? A blossom blooming in the night?

Can you feel the love tonight? The night has set us free We can fly and aim for the shining stars Love will guide us there

Go the Distance (Julie Nagarkar - #LoveHacks)

I’d lie awake at night, deep in my thoughts Questioning what is waiting for me Sometimes I’d wonder, if there’s something more Wherever I go, ambition will take me far

It’ll take some time, I can go the distance Who knows how far? There’s no way to tell For every up and down, every pain and smile I’d search high and low to find where I belong

I’ve traveled near and far, searching left and right I’m a floating fragment wading into the unknown And what remains long after I’m dead and gone? I don’t want to leave this world with nothing to give

I’m breaking away, I can go the distance Every step I take, I’ll be taking charge Along the way, I’ll be making history And I’ll keep on writing my story ‘till the end

I See the Light (Aminta Beaumont - The Haunting of Braidwood Manor)

Far too long I buried myself alone All those secrets, not mine to bear Until now I didn’t even realize I forgot to live What it’s like, to live without worries? Now I’m free, what do I do? Somehow it doesn’t feel right In time I’ll find my way

And at last I see the light For once I look to tomorrow And at last I see the light There’s so much I want to do And now I can chase my dreams Nothing’s stopping me from reaching All I ask is to hold on to this moment So I know it’s real

Sleepless nights, haunted by nightmares All those years, wasted away A part of my life ridden with pain Years I can’t take back All I have are these memories A reminder of my past Without them I wouldn’t be here Now I know it’s real

And at last I see the light The world becomes more lively And at last I see the light This is where I want to be All my dreams in front of me I know they’ll be coming true All I ask is to hold on to this moment It’s my time to soar

Reflection (Rose Emmerdale - Rules of Engagement)

Look at her, is this how I want the world to see me? Is this what I show them? All my life I fall into this routine I wonder what happens if I were to disappear? Would anyone notice at all?

What do I want out of life? Is there more that I can’t see? When will my reflection show who I am inside?

Standing here Letting someone else’s wishes guide my heart Do I really want this? But maybe if I take a chance, I’ll find happiness What’s lost won’t matter to me

What lies beyond my view? Am I more than just this? Is my reflection a plain deception? Is she nothing but a lie? A pretty face to hide behind? When will my reflection show who I am inside?

When Will My Life Begin (Lotty Emmerdale - Rules of Engagement)

I start out each day knowing what to do Begin my routine, not a step out of place Organization’s my motto it’s precise and clear Checking off my long list of things to do

Everything is planned, there is a time and place Why should I sit around when I can get on top? I have ambitions more than I can count but I wonder when will my life begin?

Starting this year I plan to break out of my slumber Taking on big chances and falling in love Dancing and singing and traveling the world Then I’ll start to dream big And maybe change the world

Still there’s plans but with room for spontaneity And now my routine dances to it’s own drumbeat There’s so many ambitions to keep track So much I can reach the stars It seems like a lifetime ago when I asked myself When will my life begin?

Part of Your World (Clare Emmerdale - Rules of Engagement)

Check out this place, fun times and more Partying all night without a care Looking around you’d think It sounds like a wild ride

I’ve lost myself to the music and more Got my heart broken so many times You want wild stories? I got hundreds But what else? Is there more? I have none

I wanna take charge of my life I wanna have ambitions Settle down and find something like I don’t know, a career? Running around all day and night It’s hard to keep up, I’m falling behind It’s time to think about What is it? Adulthood

Now I can see my future prospects I know someday I’ll find my dream Now I can see, someday I’ll be Part of that world

I Won’t Say I’m in Love (Ash Emmerdale - Rules of Engagement, Brother x Elena)

I never thought it would be like this But of course nothing ever works out For all I know it could be mixed signals What makes you think I’d have a chance with her?

No chance, no way Who’d believe such a thing? She’s too good for me Why bother thinking it? It’s too cliche I won’t say I’m in love

I always told myself it’s nothing We’re just trying to get things done Just a charade to get by Did we end up taking to way too far?

No chance, no way I won’t say it It’s just a thought I won’t say it Why am I scared? I guess I’m in love Oh, at least out loud I won’t say I’m in love

A Whole New World (Kieran Akiyama - Endless Summer, MC x Jake)

I have opened my eyes Broadened my horizons I can’t remember living life without adventure You’ve given me your heart In return I gave you mine No matter what happens I’ll be flying by your side

A whole new world There’s nowhere else I’d rather be Nothing but the blue seas The crystal skies With you I’m never alone

Can you feel the sunshine? Hear the rumbling thunder? Who knows what danger lies there The mysteries of this land?

A whole new world There’s so much we don’t know Is all this nothing more but a dream? Look beyond the horizons Look how we’ve come so far I can’t stop now Let me explore this whole new world with you

Two Worlds (Acacia Lim - The Freshman)

Her heart doesn’t know what it wants Bustle of the city or The comforts of a small town life

Changing quickly, there’s no time to slow down Two worlds, one life to live Times have gone It’s time to move on And keep the memories close

In a small town beside the creek There lives the forest and the trees When she flies off, where will she land?

Before she knows it, she’s drifting away Two worlds, one fading fast She’s moving on She’s leaving home Her heart now takes the lead

[peace-coast-island]

#ChoicesCreates: "That was fun, let's do it again sometime!"

Title: Sillage (The Royal Romance) Summary: Sillage - the scent that lingers in air, the trail left in water, the impression made in space after something or someone has been and gone. Enid Zuberi (MC) recalls some of the fun times she had with her friend Sera and wishes they had more time together. Companion to Quaintrelle and Mizpah.

@hollyashton @zigisbisexual

Earlier today I passed by the old playground across what used to be Angel’s Bakery. Remember how we’d hang out there after school on Fridays? You’d order cronuts, I’d get cream puffs, and Ollie would have waffles. On days when we didn’t have a lot of homework on the weekend we stayed until five and hung out on the playground. I wonder if I can find the tree we carved our names on. That is, if I can remember where it is.

Now the playground and bakery looks like something out of an old black and white movie. It’s sort of a strange way to put it, I know. When I stepped into the playground, it was like I was in another world. Not something to explore though, it felt kind of sad, as in that place was in its own bubble. never to be disturbed by the outside. What once felt so familiar and warm now feels foreign and almost hostile. The worst part is, when I tried to picture us running around in the playground, all I could see is the rusted playground equipment covered in dirt and leaves, making creaking noises when the wind blew.

Not to mention across the street there’s no longer a trace of Angel’s Bakery but instead a boarded up building that looks like it’s going to fall apart any minute. This part of the street is basically dead. There’s no one, nothing around here for blocks and blocks, only emptiness.

Why didn’t we ever come back? Maybe we did one last time, I probably forgot. Did we know that the bakery and other businesses over there were closing? What ever happened to “One more time, for old time’s sake?”. Looking back, maybe we could have done something special when we found out. But instead we let it be forgotten and carried on with our lives.

There’s no use in trying to retrieve memories that are lost to time, we know how hard and painful that is. But still, it hurts to forget something that once meant a lot. I’m afraid of waking up one day and not remembering things like the sound of your voice or how graceful you look in the wind when you’re sailing. Hell, I can’t even remember when was the last time we were there before it became abandoned. Was it after our sixth grade graduation? Earlier? Later?

When did we get so old, Sera?

I spent the weekend in Eden Villa visiting Ollie and helping Deedee move into her dorm. Hard to believe that it’s her last year at Eagle University. She’s been so busy lately that it seems like forever since we last saw each other. So it was a nice surprise when she called me and Ollie up.

After decorating her dorm, we had lunch at Villa Downtown Cafe. I thought the place looked familiar. The wall was decorated with all kinds of clocks, and then I saw one that caught my eye. It looked like a diorama except as a clock. Soft sandy yellows and browns mixed with beachy and ocean blues. In the shadows stood silhouettes of a sail and three small figures waving to the horizon. From the top hung small birds that swayed gently. The way the clock was integrated into the scenery was done only in a way that Sera Castiglioni could do it. Then I knew why that cafe seemed so familiar.

Five years ago, we visited that cafe, back when Ollie was starting Harvard. It was during Labor Day weekend and we wanted to surprise Ollie and celebrate his first week of college. At your suggestion we took a train to Eden to meet up with you. The first place we stopped by was Villa Downtown, a timeless cafe, kinda funny since the walls are full of clocks. I don’t remember much about the cafe but we had a great time around the villa. You always make a great tour guide, showing off all kinds of places and keeping us on our feet. Walking around Eden just doesn’t feel the same without you.

When I walked in the cafe for the first time, I was taken back by all the clocks decorating the walls. Who knew that clocks can be designed in so many ways? While we were waiting for our food I noticed a flyer for a clock designing contest. Ollie and I were surprised to find out that the cafe had did something like this every year and shocked that you didn’t think you were good enough to enter. It took a lot of poking and prodding but I finally convinced you to enter the contest. Told ya you’d win!

Ollie, Deedee, and I visited the beach, the film museum, and saw a show at the theater. Eden has changed so much since that visit five years ago. On our way to the beach we passed by the art museum, which was one of your favorite places in the world. I almost didn’t recognize it until Ollie pointed it out. From the outside, the museum has doubled in size. I can’t imagine how the inside looks but I bet it’s amazing. I think you mentioned that there was talk about renovating the place.

The beach was nice. It was a bit cloudy and cold so we didn’t go in the water. I took a walk and picked up some shells. I still have the ones from our last outing in my seashell box. It’s been a long time since I added to my collection. From what I can remember, not a lot has changed about the beach.

While going through my seashell box, I found a sand dollar necklace you made for me when Ollie and I visited. On our last night at Eden we spent the night at the beach where we built a fire and watched the stars. You bought your guitar and we sang a bunch of songs. After that you led us to your favorite diving spot, where earth meets sky, as you put it. We danced until dawn before heading back to the train station.

Before hopping on the train you said, “That was fun, let’s do it again sometime!”  Your words never left my mind since I got off the train. Then I saw the necklace and everything came flooding back to me. We never did a follow up to that adventure, did we?

Even after two years things like this still gets to me.

Guess who has two thumbs and nine bandaged fingers? For the past two days I made over fifty plushies for the Children’s Hospital Summer Fair. Not bad for someone who hasn’t sewn anything for a while. They’re nothing like your masterpieces but then what good would it be if I copied yours? I’m pretty happy with how mine turned out and they were a hit with the kids. By the end of the day, forty-nine of them were sold. I’m keeping the last one as a souvenir.

The fair was pretty fun, I had a great time helping out. I’ll admit that I wasn’t sure if I wanted to participate or not. I know I said that I’d keep the tradition going after you were gone but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. And then the year after that a lot of things were going on that summer so I lost track of time. Now here I am two years later, back at the park hosting games and selling plushies.

While I was making plushies, all I could think about was you. Remember how much fun we had cutting up fuzzy socks, filling them up with stuffing, and sewing on details? Doing it alone was actually kind of fun, it’s been a while since I had a day to myself. Working double shifts is not my favorite thing but hey, you do what you gotta do. At least I’m getting paid, plus extra days off so it’s a win-lose thing. There’s something about art that’s so fascinating. Turning something like a sock into a cute kitten or puppy, it always amazes me. I guess that’s why I always look up to you a lot, Sera, because you are an artist. I never realized I forgot how much I enjoyed making these little plushies. Or how a child’s eyes lights up when they get to take one home.

While I was at the booth, I saw one little girl that reminded me of you. She was full of energy and a natural leader. For an eight year old she was beyond her years, walking around with her younger siblings and making sure that no one felt left you. She asked her mom for some money so she could buy five plushies, two for her brother and sister, one for a boy in a wheelchair who lost his leg from cancer, and one for a girl who’s going into isolation soon to prepare for a bone marrow transplant. Jenny was her name, a lymphoma patient and a true trooper. She spent a few weeks in the hospital for an infection and now she’s back home and in remission. The day of the fair was the first time she went out since she was admitted. You always said the sunshine sped up your recovery, I bet Jenny’s the same too.

I’ll never forget how the little boy and girl looked when Jenny surprised them with a plushie. With a simple gesture like that, Jenny brightened up their day. Remember how you’d do the same when we volunteered? You’d see a kid sitting alone watching everyone else run around, wishing that they could do the same, and you’d come with a plushie and play with them, bringing a smile on their weary faces. I guess part of the reason why I didn’t want to participate was because I knew I wouldn’t be able to cheer someone up like that. You always had a way with people, Sera, the way your optimism can make the best out of the bleak. I was afraid because I couldn’t fill in your shoes. Then I met Jenny and I realized that there was no point in trying to follow your footsteps because you always ran barefoot in all directions. You’re one of a kind, Sera, and there will never be anyone like you. So it’s about time I stop trying to fill in the gaps with what ifs and if onlys.

Sorry for taking so long to do this. I could go on thinking about that summer three years ago, wondering if we could have known that it was going to be our last time making plushies together. But there’s no point in regretting the things we didn’t have time to do, or else we’d be wasting even more time! At the end of the fair three years ago, a nurse asked us if we were coming back next year to do it again. We both excitedly said yes. But we never did.

Three years later, Jenny went up to me and asked if I was volunteering again next year. I smiled and told her I’ll be back next summer with more plushies, which made her and the other kids very happy.

And I’ll hold myself to that promise - it’s right here in writing!

[peace-coast-island]

ChoicesCreates: Mother

Title: Mizpah (The Royal Romance) Summary: Mizpah - the deep emotional bond between people, especially those separated by distance or death. MC Enid Zuberi's entries to Sera about her mother, companion piece to last week’s prompt Quaintrelle.

@punexpectedly @hollyashton

Last night I said goodbye to Mom. It happened peacefully, a deep slumber just like yours. I held her hand the entire time until she took her last breath.

And once again I’m left behind.

I’m doing my best. I’ll get through this, just like I did with you, Dad, Grandma, and all the others who are gone. But I won’t lie, it’s going to be difficult.

For now I’ll mourn and then I’ll pick up the pieces and live, for us. I’m sure you gave Mom a warm welcome when she came. There better be a party when I join you guys in the far future!

Until then, I’ll do my best to get through the day.

Dear Mom, I love you and I miss you. Tell Dad and Sera that I said “Hi.”

Today was Mom’s funeral. Ollie and I arranged a bouquet of flowers from her garden to put beside her grave. We also scattered some loose petals around and watched them dance in the cool breeze. At that moment it felt like she was there beside us. It was a beautiful sight.

Later Ollie and I went through a bunch of old albums and got lost in our memories. Mom didn’t believe it but I always thought she was made for the camera. Even if it was a candid moment, she always looked beautiful, like she belonged at that moment in time.

Now that I realize it, the two of you always had a lot in common. Both of you are old carefree souls, living in the moment, leaving behind bittersweet memories for others to cherish. A flower blown away by the wind, a life fleeting and far too short.

While going through the albums, I found a box of pictures from a few years ago. I think Mom was planning to buy another album to put them in but she never had the time. Funny how all the old pictures felt like they happened just yesterday while the more recent ones feel like a distant memory.

There was one picture that stuck out to me. It was you, me, Ollie, and Mom at your grandmother’s summer house where we used to visit every year in July. We all looked so happy in that picture, taken on the night of the annual Seaside Dance. That was also the last time the four of us came up there.

I wonder how are the sunflowers Mom planted last year are doing right now. Remember how enthusiastic she was about planting them in the garden? Every summer the garden looked a lot more vibrant and colorful when she planted her flowers there. It makes me sad to think about how empty the garden will be without her additions.

Maybe one day when we’re ready, Ollie will go back up there and help tend to the garden. Mom was looking forward to planting her tulips this summer, they would’ve looked nice. I haven’t gotten the chance to see her sunflowers but i can imagine the flowers will complement them nicely. Hopefully they’ll still be there next year.

Maybe I’ll drop by for a visit over the summer. I don’t think I can stay for the whole month but it’ll be nice to spend a few days there. You know what, I think I will do that.

It’s nice to have something to look forward to, even for something as small as a little trip in the summer. At least it’ll help me pull through the holidays, which are going to be extra lonely but don’t worry, we’ll manage.

Ollie and I got through the holidays. We didn’t do much, mainly because on Christmas Eve there was a small blizzard so I was snowed in at his house. We just sat by the fire, played a few games, roasted some marshmallows and fell asleep while watching a movie.

I still can’t get used to this emptiness that’s left behind. While Ollie and I had a great time we couldn’t help but feel so alone. It was definitely bittersweet, if that makes sense. At times like this I’m grateful for Ollie because as much as I need him for support, he needs someone to hold him up as well.

In fact, I feel like he’s got it worse than me. The two of you loved each other and I think you guys would’ve made a cute couple. When you died, he buried a piece of his heart with you. I still remember how much it broke your heart when you told him to go back to school while you were in the hospital. And how he kissed your hand for the last time while you held on before letting go.

Then we lost Mom, our anchor, our guide and now we’re more lost than ever. At least Ollie has a bright future ahead with law school and a guaranteed spot in his family’s law firm while I’m still working my way up. She was always there for us, the one who walked me through life, who took care of you after your parents died, who was there for Ollie when his parents weren’t, she’s the one who brought us together. And now she’s gone. But I know she’s watching over me and Ollie, just like you are.

In a few minutes it’ll be the start of the new year. Ollie and I got our confetti cannons ready. Still bittersweet, but more on the sweet side. Although we’re sad now, I have a good feeling that things are gonna be better this year. The shooting star we saw and wished on earlier is definitely a sign.

Happy New Year, Sera, Mom, and everyone else watching from above.

Sundays were always Mom’s favorite day of the week. On days like this, I can see why.

I came by today to put some fresh flowers on her grave. Since it’s Mother’s Day I also left some marigolds, her favorite. Ollie and I are doing our best to keep her garden blooming and I have to say we’re doing a pretty good job.

Today the marigolds are looking brighter and fuller than ever. I love the pop of bright color they add to the dark green grass. After almost a week of rain, it’s nice to finally see the sun again.

Along with the flowers I wrote a card for Mom. I hope you enjoy it, I also attached a marigold and her favorite hair pin with the cherry blossoms on it.

Dear Mom,

It’s a beautiful day to say thanks and I love you. How are you doing? are you enjoying this calm sunny day? The flowers are blooming bright, the birds are singing, and the sky’s a beautiful blue with soft clouds surrounding the sun. You always loved days like this.

Life hasn’t been the same without you and to be honest, I’m still having a hard time adjusting. But I’m still gonna get out of bed, greet the day, and keep on living. Some days are better than others but I will get through it, just like you did when Dad was gone. I always admired your strength through hard times and you taught me a lot. So now it’s time for me to be strong and put what you taught me to good use.

From bringing me to this earth to helping me take my first steps, walking me to school, cheering at my high school graduation, helping me move in my dorm, crying tears of joy at my college graduation, being there for me when I needed someone to hold me, you were always a part of my life. And for that I thank you because you were the one who made me who I am.

I’m sad that you’re not here beside me but I know you’ll always be watching from above. Like you told me: “It’s time for us to spread our wings and fly. Where I’m going, you can’t follow, but don’t worry, I may not be able to hold your hand but I know that you can make your own path. And when we meet again, I’ll have my arms wide open for you to fall in.”

Until then, I will send you a kiss to the heavens and spread my wings.

Love, Enid Athena Zuberi

[peace-coast-island]

#ChoicesCreates: Friendship

Title: Quaintrelle (The Royal Romance) Summary: Quaintrelle - a woman who emphasizes a life of passion, expressed through personal style, leisurely past times, charm, and cultivation of life’s pleasures. Enid Zuberi (MC) writes to a dear friend.

Dear Seraphina,

It’s still hard for me to accept what happened but I’m trying my best. Your mother stopped by a few days ago with a box that you left for me. I didn’t get the courage to open it until last night.

The first thing I saw was the handmade sketchbook you got at an arts and crafts fair a few years ago. I remember you telling me that you wanted to use it someday but you were also afraid of ruining it. You always wanted to save it for your masterpieces. It makes me sad to think of all the wonderful art you could have drawn. I always wished that I could draw as well as you.

The sketchbook was kept on your self, waiting for the right occasion to be used. You wanted to open it on a towel laying on the sand with your art supplies spread out, ready for inspiration to strike. A relaxed breezy day on the beach with just the two of us. Funny how we took days like that for granted until time starts running short.

We never thought the sketchbook would be opened in a dreary space that became your second home whether you liked it or not. instead of being surrounded by paintbrushes and pens, there were IVs and equipment. It hurt seeing you struggle with holding a pencil, those once fluid lines turn wobbly and unsteady. That was the summer that marked the beginning of the end.

No matter how hard it was, you challenged yourself to fill one page with your art. I always admired your determination, even when things were bleak. During the time you stayed at the hospital, you sketched whatever came to mind and when I visited I would bring some of your art supplies. Looking through your sketchbook, I have to say that a lot of these are masterpieces.

I don’t know why you left this for me though. I understand the pictures and your camera as you were an avid photographer. And that nautical keychain I helped you win at a fair after spending several tickets trying. Your jar of paper stars we made the night after we graduated high school with our wishes written inside them.

But why your sketchbook? You left a letter for everyone in an envelope but you stuck mine in the book. In the PS, you told me to keep making masterpieces to fill it up. I wasn’t sure what you meant since my drawing and art skills are nowhere near yours. I guess that’s why it took me over a week to finally respond to you. It feels weird doing this so I can’t promise you that I’ll keep up with this but it’s worth a try. At least I’m feeling a little better getting my feelings out like this. So that’s what I’m gonna do with your sketchbook.

To quote you: “Someday we’ll meet again in the far future and you’d better have a lot of stories to tell me. Hell, I’ll come back to haunt you if you’re just sitting around mourning for an eternity. Promise me, you’ll live, Enid. Not just for me, but for you, for us.”

That was the last thing you ever said to me and I’ll never forget it. So I’ll fill these pages and when we meet again, I’ll share my stories.

From your best friend forever, Enid

P.S. - If you are gonna haunt me at least give me a sign so I know it’s you!

Today would’ve been your twenty-second birthday. So for you I’m rowing a boat and releasing a balloon in the air for you. It’s light blue, your favorite color, and I tied one of your favorite ribbons at the end, the light pink lace one that you like to wear in the spring. The balloon actually reminds me a lot about you, a free spirit letting the wind carry her away.

Remember the hidden cave at the beach where we often spent our summers? Hard to believe that it’s been a few months since we last came. It feels strange being here without you. Of course I couldn’t come alone and took Ollie with me. We couldn’t stay long, it was too much for us. That’s why I suggested that we spend the rest of the day on the boat. Ollie also wrote a message for you on the balloon, I didn’t see what it was though - keeping that a surprise for you!

We were out until pretty late, so late that we almost didn’t notice it was getting dark and the boat was going in the opposite direction. Instead of going down memory lane, we just sat and watched the world around us. If you were there you’d be pulling our your paints and a canvas to capture the scenery. I kept an eye on your balloon until it faded into the evening sky. Now you can wander the stars at your heart’s content.

Happy birthday Sera.

I never thought I’d end up back in the waiting room of the hospital so soon. This is the sixth time I’ve been in this position.

First my grandfather, who I barely remember. I think I was around two or three and blissfully unaware.

Second time was my aunt, around the time I was able to understand that sometimes it doesn’t get better. A year later I attended a funeral for the first time.

Third was my grandmother and by then we knew it before the doctor told us. She kept her head up until the very end.

Fourth was my father after a long battle. You and Ollie were there for me and my mother from the diagnosis to his final moments. I can’t thank you two enough for helping us through a difficult time.

Fifth was Seraphina Castiglioni, my best friend. You fought twice before, triumphant each time. But after years of remission it came back stronger than ever and your days were slowly fading away. Still, you lived every day to the fullest and left the world with a smile while holding my hand.

Now I’m back in the waiting room, sixth time with my mother. It’s been a few weeks and she’s gone through a lot of tests. I’m afraid but I have to stay strong for her, for us. At least Ollie’s here with me so I won’t be so alone. I really hate being in this room.

Sera, I miss you so much. Please give me the strength to get through the next few days.

I did it. I went out to the cave alone. And I’m glad I did.

I can’t remember the last time I was at the beach, it feels like such a long time ago. But I guess that happens when your life changes at an instant. Ollie’s doing well in school, I insisted that he’d go back instead of taking the semester off like he wanted. I feel bad for him since he’s close to Mom but we didn’t want him to drop everything for us. Mom made him promise that he make the Dean’s list again. I promised to keep him updated on her condition.

Mom’s doing as best she can. Still, there are days when she can’t do anything at all and I feel terrible for her. You know how I hate being helpless. It hurts seeing her like this. And the same for seeing you and my father go through the same. Why do things like this happen to people? Why?

At least today was a good day for her. She insisted that I go out and treat myself. I think the new medications are helping out a lot but her doctor says it’s too soon to tell if things are getting better. I’m glad that she’s able to spend the day out of bed and doing stuff. When I left, she was working on her garden, which looked more lively now that she was there. I told her not to wear herself out and she laughed and said that it’s a mother’s job to worry about her daughter, not the other way around. Then she told me to be back home in time for dinner.

It took a bit longer than expected to reach the cave. The sky was a bit cloudy and it got sort of windy later on. Finally after some difficulty, I made it to the cave. Walking in there alone felt like I was going down memory lane. I can still see us running around and hear us talking about things like it was yesterday. But at the same time it feels like a lifetime ago.

Remember how we used to go treasure hunting? You always knew the best places to find sea glass and seashells. What about the first time we went cliff diving? Ollie and I were nervous while you just dove right in. And how we’d have picnics in the cave? I noticed that there’s a basket left in the back where we hid stuff.

Then I found a small box hidden behind it. I opened it and saw a note that was in your handwriting. It said “To Ollie, with love, Sera.”. Underneath was a silver bracelet with our names engraved on it. This was your present to Ollie, something you meant to give him when he came back from college. I remember seeing you stop by a jewelry store to pick something up.

Was that why you wanted us to go with you to the cave last summer? I know you told me not to dwell on the past too much but seeing that box, I wished that we went out that day. It still wouldn’t change much but still, I’d give anything to have one more day with the three of us hanging out.

With all the things going on later that summer, it’s no surprise that you forgot about it. There’s a few other things we left in here like some old pictures, a few treasures we found, and some notes that are too hard to read now. It’s hard to believe that a year has passed since you left the box in there and the last time the three of us spent the day in the cave together.

You were always stubborn, you know that? By then you could barely get out of the house but you insisted on going to the cave. Possibly for the last time, like you were saying goodbye to an old friend. Despite your frail appearance, you looked as bright as ever. That was the last time you stepped outside.

The next day you thanked me and Ollie for one of the best days of your life. For as long as I live I’ll never forget that day. You wanted us to remember you in a way that makes us happy. That’s why I want to hold on to that day, to remember the bright, lively Sera who lives by the wind and sea.

[peace-coast-island]

Character Profile - The Royal Romance: Enid Zuberi

Birth Name: Enid Athena Zuberi

Birthday: October 16

Race: African American

Height: 5’7

Hair Color: Jet black, curly

Eye Color: Doe brown

Personality: Determined, courageous, playful, hard-working, confident, whimsical, open-minded, impulsive, reliable, ambitious

Likes: Puzzles, fairy tales, traveling, friendly competition, games, historical fashion, museums, dancing, having fun, podcasts

Dislikes: Rude customers, stereotypes, pointless competition, feeling unproductive, carbonated drinks, boredom, horror movies, long hair, turtlenecks

Family: Rosa Aaliyah Raylene (Mother) - deceased Rudolf Klaus Zuberi (Father) - deceased

[peace-coast-island]

Diary of a Junebug

Dining out at the Majestic Cafe!

We’re popping out the champagne bottles tonight for a majestic dining experience! 

Today’s the third year anniversary of the cafe’s grand opening. The place is run by Julie Nargarkar and Enid Zuberi. There’s also Hana, who prefers to be behind the scenes so we don’t really see as much of her but she deserves credit too. It was an idea that started out as “what if?” and then it grew into something big. 

The story of how they came together adds to this cafe’s charm and appeal.

First there’s Julie, who was an aspiring reporter. A few years ago, after graduating college, she landed what seemed to be a promising position at a trendy news site. Writing articles about pop culture isn’t really something she aspired to do but it was a popular website, it paid super well, and gave her connections.   

Although working there gave her a boost in her professional life, the environment at the office was terrible. Being one of the very few women in the office - especially a woman of color, Julie was subjected to a lot of shitty treatment by her colleagues and bosses. She held out for as long as she could before quitting a year and a half later right after the company won a web award. And by the company, it was actually her - reporter of the year. 

Publicly resigning from your work after winning an award was a power move and one that the company never recovered from. Basically when Julie went up to accept the award, instead of thanking her colleagues, she called them out on their misogyny, racism, and hypocrisy before announcing that she was glad to end her time at the company on the high note. 

Of course, the speech went viral. More women spoke up about how they were mistreated by the company, which led more people to come forward about how they were screwed over by how some of the reporters failed to give credit or outright stole from creators. So the company ends up shooting itself on the foot while denying everything and hasn’t recovered since. 

I have mad respect for Julie for taking them down like that.   

Not long afterwards, Julie and a friend started a lifestyle blog called Typewriter Keys. The blog updated twice a week - Julie on Monday and Leah on Friday. After the whole media blowout with her resignation speech, Julie debated pushing back the blog’s launch in case a bunch of trolls decided to crash the website. But in the end she decided to proceed as planned, assigning a couple of friends to moderate comments and block anyone who tries to stir up trouble. Within a few months the trolls stopped coming in hordes. 

Going from a toxic workplace to running your own business where you call all the shots was a refreshing change of scenery for Julie. Instead of drowning in deadlines and writing about clickbait stuff, she was free to pursue what she wanted to do. And the fact that the blog was super successful was rewarding itself. 

But at the same time, Julie felt something was lacking. As much as she enjoyed writing blog posts, she preferred it as a hobby. Although she puts in 100% in her work, it was getting harder and harder for her to sit down in front of her computer and write. 

Whenever she started feeling burnt out, Julie would go to a cafe to clear her mind and hopefully get out of her writer’s block. Most of the time it works and she’s inspired again. But as time went on, her writer’s block worsened and while being in a busy cafe helped her de-stress, she was uninspired to write, which then stressed her out again, leading to an unhealthy cycle. 

Eventually she decided to take a short break from the blog, which turned into six months. During that time, she found herself drawn to cafes and began taking an interest in the business. She would often travel out of town to explore different coffee shops, which is how she met Enid. 

Enid’s led an interesting life. She was a rags to riches story, though in a bit of an unconventional way. She was originally a waitress at a run down diner and then suddenly she was whisked away to another country as a possible suitor for a prince. Although she got along well with him and his friends, Enid couldn’t see herself living life as royal. Instead, she fell for Lady Hana Lee, a duchess and childhood friend of the prince. 

The next few years were a bit of a wild ride for Enid. From going on royal adventures, falling in love, and dealing with political/family drama - it was unreal! But after three years, it was getting tiring. The prince was cool but his relatives weren’t the best to get along with. Dealing with royal stuff was suffocating and it was taking a toll on Enid and the others.   

Although the whole purpose of bringing Enid and other women to the castle was to find him a bride, he instead chose his two best friends - a stablehand and a bodyguard. Did I mention that the elders are really homophobic and classist? 

Knowing that their families disapprove and have the power to ruin their lives if they don’t conform to their standards, the five of them snuck to another country to elope. Two other friends risked their status to help them carry out the plan. So as a result, a former waitress, a stablehand, a bodyguard, and four royals were banned from the country.   

None of them regret doing it. Mad respect to them as well. 

While the media was having a field day, the gang went globe hopping, meeting up with many friends who supported what they did. A few months later a princess and her friends followed suit after being inspired by them. Once the media attention died down, the gang felt that it was time for them to get on with their lives. As much as she loved traveling, Enid wanted to settle down so she and Hana moved to the coastal town of Willowdale while the husbands continued to travel the world. 

Adjusting to life in Willowdale was a lot easier said than done for Enid, and especially for Hana. They were able to get by so finances wasn’t an issue, which helped a lot. But they didn’t know what to do after spending over a year traveling. On one hand, it was good to take a break from a hectic lifestyle to reevaluate what they wanted out of their lives. But after a while it was getting stagnant and they were stuck in a rut they didn’t know how to get out of. 

Like Julie, Enid and Hana found comfort in coffee shops. They happened to run into each other in Silverkeep, a city near Willowdale. From there they became fast friends and would meet up at a new coffee shop at least twice a month. 

While getting to know each other, Hana wondered what it would be like to run a cafe. Willowbrook was a nice town to live in, but it was in need of a coffee place. Then that led Julie to think, why not? Enid, who has experience from working in food service, thought, it’s possible. Before they knew it, they were going back and forth on ideas about their imaginary cafe. 

And then one thing led to another, making their dream a reality. It wasn’t easy and they needed a lot of help along the way - but it was worth it! Julie, a coffee and tea aficionado, found that she enjoyed being a barista. Enid and Hana were content in the kitchen coming up with recipes.   

Along with food, drinks, and top-notch service, another important thing to consider is the environment. Being someone who often hangs out at coffee shops to either wind down or get productive, Julie wanted the place to be able to convey that. It’s more than just a cafe, it’s a safe space you can go to when you need time to yourself or need to escape. So that’s why there’s two sections - the main floor where it’s bustling with activity and an upstairs where you can get some privacy. There’s also a bulletin board with various resources and hotlines for those who need help. 

Three years on and Majestic Cafe is becoming one of the go-to places to visit in Willowdale. Julie and Enid have been featured in a lot of lifestyle blogs, podcasts, and vlogs - which is how I found out about Majestic Cafe. Also I enjoy hearing stories about people living their dream lives. 

While talking about what lies ahead for the future, Julie said that they’re working with a mental health clinic and a homeless shelter. The bulletin board with resources and hotlines has helped a lot of people over the years so she wants expand on that. A number of people have said Majestic Cafe literally saved their lives because they happen to walk by the board and see a suicide hotline or domestic violence hotline. So the cafe wants to expand on that by working closely with the clinic and shelter to bring help to those who need it. 

I’m so proud of Julie, Enid, Hana, and the Majestic Cafe team for their accomplishments!