#I’m projecting hardddd

[strikerofchords]

Funnily enough thats why I resonated so hard with Chihiro before I realized I was transmasc. I always read his story from the lens of someone who always felt too fragile, too soft, too weak to be considered an actual man. I very much relate to how Chihiro would lean into the feminine traits to compensate while also keeping himself separated from the girls in the group.

Chihiro Fujisaki is transfem but not because I saw a crossdressing character and went “they must be trans” but because I understand her story from the perspective of someone closeted and rationalizing why they crossdress bc they haven’t accepted themselves. Is this anything

[sharkorok]

texts w/ situationship!zhangaho (zb1)

requested: yurrrr

cw/genre: one swear word, mention of making out, bad at feelings, angst w fluff/open ended conclusion, pet names, not strictly gendered reader, lmk if anything else should be tagged yaaaa…

a/n: guys GUYS the fact u like these stiuatiobship texts sm make me blush so hardddd I made these completely to project my own talking stage LOLZ, I was v nervous no one would like it so I’m so happy u guys r enjoying this…KISSES!! 😚😚

•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•

~thanks for reading!

[no-nameno-face]

Auburn Thoughts (Pt.1)

Pairing: Reader x Ellie Williams

Summary:  You are an art student working on a rather boring assignment. The girl across from you makes it a bit more bearable. 

Warnings: ummm painting and flirting ig? Some sarcasm? Not sure what qualifies as warning material in a chapter like this. lol.

Author's Notes: I'm literally a college drop out so idk if this is even close to a real college experience so bear with me. I'm really excited to be writing a slow burn, I love reading them so I'm having a lot of fun making one of my own. This chapter is mostly fluff, but with that being said I definitely plan on this leading to some heavy smut so fair warning. I’m still new to writing, like I said in my last post that was my first time writing, so be patient with me please. I'm already almost done with part two, the story definitely picks up a bit. trying to contain myself to keep it a nice slow build, but writing Ellie makes that so hardddd. Anyways, I hope you enjoy! <3

Part 2

I balance, perched on my wooden stool. Knee to my chest and a paint brush resting in the corner of my mouth. I squint at the bowl of fruit on the pedestal in the middle of the empty classroom. 

How the fuck am I supposed to feel inspired by a god damn banana? My eyes shift to the canvas in front of me. A base of powder blue covers the surface with a rough outline of my perspective of the assigned model. So boring. My forehead drops onto my knee. “Im fucked.” I breathe. I rest there for a minute, trying to get past the mental block of painting something I have absolutely no interest in. I didn't anticipate this side of art school. I was picturing passion projects and creative people with minds for the picking. Not fucking bananas. 

I look up at the ceiling and take a deep breath. I’m not gonna get anything else done today. I can tell. I’ll work on it tomorrow in class, see if I can figure anything out. I begin gathering my brushes head to the sink on the side of the classroom. Turning on the faucet I begin gently squeezing the paint out of my brushes, and drying them one by one. The colored water coming off of them was more exciting than anything I've created today. 

I hear the classroom door swing open. It startles me and I jump a bit, turning automatically to find the noise. Green eyes meet mine. 

“Shit, sorry.” she says as she looks away and paces to the canvas storage on the other side of the classroom, pulling off her hood as she walks revealing short auburn hair pulled back in a loose ponytail. It’s a nice color, I thought as I turned back to my brushes. I finished washing them as I thought about what colors I would have to mix to match it. My color theory class is getting to me, I shake my head softly. 

As I dry my last brush I realize how quiet it is. Just the sound of my bristles on the cloth, and that girl from my class setting her canvas on her assigned easel across from mine, on the opposite side of the cursed fruit. 

I turn and walk back to my easel and put my brushes in their case, then load it into my bag resting on the floor next to my seat. I stand up and address my canvas hopelessly one more time, letting out a small huff before I pick it up and haul it to the canvas storage. I load it into my assigned slot then head back to grab my bag, glancing first at the fruit, then at the girl. She sat comfortably eyeing her canvas, I wondered if she was having as hard of a time with this assignment or if it was just me. I reach my stuff and lean down to grab it.

“God, this blows,” she sighs. I look up at her. It's like she read my mind.

“What, you're not, like, crazy intrigued by the,” I wave towards the model “fruit.” I give a sarcastic smile. She looks up at me and returns the grin. She's got a pretty smile. 

“Can't say I am,” she says looking back at her canvas. I smile swinging on my bag.

“Well that makes two of us.” I say turning to leave the classroom. Walking back to my dorm my mind drifts back to the colors I would need to make that auburn. 

My following few nights were spent, paint brush in hand, and her across the room. Working hard on our assignments, with the occasional aggrieved comment discussing the problem at hand. I found my gaze lingering a bit longer on her than I would like to admit over these days. Smiling a bit too hard at her jokes. Laughing quietly to myself when I’d hear her drop a brush and curse under her breath.  

I started actually looking forward to painting the stupid bowl of fruit. There was something so nice about being in our own worlds, occasionally colliding, then bouncing back to our own little universes on our canvases. She makes me feel safe. Motivated. It was refreshing. 

I wondered if her mind would drift to me late at night like mine drifted to her. Definitely not. So fucking stupid, I would tell myself holding my pillow over my face.

______________________________________________________________

The next day I sat in class listening to the professor go on about the power of perspective, and how angles can truly change the emotion of a piece. My eyes drift as she's talking and I catch a glimpse of green before it darts away. Wandering eyes. Happens to us all. I think nothing of it. 

I endure the lecture and we enter the freepainting portion of the class. Finally okay with the outline of my painting, I go to the paint station to collect the colors I need to start laying the foundation of the subject. I’m rummaging through the bottom drawer of the color supply when I hear someone approaching.

“So how's the emotion of your piece coming?” came her sarcastic voice. I smile at my scavenging hands.

“Oh, it's life changing.” I say with a small nod, not looking up. She chuckles lightly, then leans against the cabinets next to me, crossing her arms over her chest, looking over the classroom. I stand, feeling satisfied by my color choices and meet her eyes, giving her a small smile, before walking back to my easel. I put my headphones in and shuffle my music. Diving into the project, desperately riding the momentum of the lecture before I lost the little motivation I had. 

The class time ended, but I planned on getting another hour or so of painting in to make up for my lack of progress during open room yesterday. Students were drifting out of the classroom leaving it quieter, which I much preferred. Finally finished with the base colors of the painting I began the shading, shuffling through my brushes in my case finding the one I needed. When I found it I pulled my knee up to my chest and leaned around my canvas to look at the subject.

I noticed she was still here, sitting across from me. Just legs beneath her work. Jeans, well worn converse, one tapping the floor. Then she's leaning around to look at the model, I dart back behind my canvas before she can catch me looking. I think I was fast enough? Why do I care, it's not a big deal? My brows furrow, confused by my own actions. Why am I being so weird?

I shade away at the apple on the left side of the bowl, frustrated with the highlights. I tilt my head up and feel the tension in my neck. I grab at it and roll my head. My eyes absently scan the classroom. Empty. All but that one seat. 

I checked my phone for the time, shit it's been over 2 hours since class got out. I look at my canvas, mentally making a plan for tomorrow's work. Then I gather my brushes and head to the sink. A repeat of the day before, and days before that. Watching the colors strain down the sink, drying my brushes. This time she approaches with her own brushes, turning on the faucet next to me and begins working the paint out of them. 

“I didn't realize what time it was, I'm glad you got up when you did. I would have been here for hours” she says looking at the brush in her hands. 

“Time flies when you’re having fun,” I respond, looking over at her then back to my brushes. I see her smile in my peripheral. That pretty smile. We wash in silence for a bit before,

“My name’s Ellie. I just realized I never introduced myself” she says, glimpsing at you.

“How rude of you, Ellie.” I say smirking at her. She squints her eyes at me with a crooked smile. “I’m _____.” I say picking up my drying rag. 

“Hey, for the record you never introduced yourself either.”

“Didn't know you wanted me to.”

“Touche.” 

I turn and walk back to my bag, following my daily routine. Putting my brushes in their case, loading it in my bag. Hauling my canvas to the storage then heading to the door. 

“Hey,” Ellie calls to me. I turn and see her putting her canvas away. “You seemed like you really knew what you were doing, picking your colors out earlier.” I grab at the straps of my backpack as she walks up to me “I was just wondering, could you give me some tips? I'm more of a graphite, charcoal girl myself. Color is not really my thing.” she said looking down at her shoes then back to me. 

“I guess,” I say with a smile heading out the door. She follows me, catching up to walk by my side.

“Now?” She looks at me while we walk.

“I'm a bit painted out at the moment,” 

“Oh, yeah. No for sure,” she responds, directing her attention to the floor. She almost sounds flustered? No, I'm definitely reading into it. A small smile paints my lips at the possibility.

“How about we meet up during open room tomorrow? I'll give you some pointers.” She  looks up to me with a bit of surprise in her eyes, I look ahead of myself. “I mean I'm no Warhol, but I'm happy to help.”

“Fuck yeah, that sounds perfect! What time do you wanna meet?” she asks eagerly. A light in her eyes. 

“4:00?”

“My last class gets out at 4:30, can you do 5:00?” 

“Oh you're making demands now?” I say with a sarcastic grimace at her, brows furrowed. She bites at her smile. It's an image I'd like to immortalize in my sketchbook. What? I look at the ground, thrown off by my own thoughts. “Yeah, let's meet at 5:00.” I say just looking up enough to catch her eyes already peering at me, she glances away from me quickly. Pushing through the doors of the building we are hit with the cold air. She pulls her hood up over her ponytail. 

“See you then.” she nods at me and heads down the stairs and to the left towards her dorm I presume. I grin at myself, my cheeks feeling a bit warmer than they should in the breeze.

Back at my dorm I find myself doodling the image of her bitten lips. Auburn thoughts.

[blakescoven]

5, 12, 13, 22, 26, 32, 35, 43, 48, 50 💖✨

my sweet Dani sorry I’ve been MIA 😭 don’t hate mee

5. Most inspiring Cody quote?

«I’m not a label, I’m not a category, I’m more like a verb.» i based my thesis on this one quote!!! but also «I’m dedicating myself to an art form that takes a lifetime to master.» i relate sm to both

12. Are you more excited to see Cody again in Eden or American Horror Stories?

these ‘choose between’ questions are so hardddd ughh. You know what? I’m not sure. If I’m being sentimental and nostalgic, I usually get excited thinking we might see more of our beloved Michael and Xavier, but at the same time I’m seriously afraid of the possibility of mr Murphy fucking up w the characters. That would make me so mad. idk I’m conflicted. Regardless, I’m really excited to see cody in eden, finally a totally different project that isn’t linked to Ryan. I’m so curious <3

13. Favourite Xavier look?

5ever this one !!! them shorts we didn’t get arghh (+ the red jacket one was chefs kiss)

22. If you could change the fate of one Cody character who would it be and why?

This is the hardest question, considering every character had a miserable fate :-( I’d go w Jim, because he deserved love and help, not the ending he got, in pain and alone. (I wish I could change each fate tho)

26. Any other designers you’d like to see Cody work with in the future?

ahhh we talked about this and I agree with you, seeing him wearing a McQueen would be a dreaaam. But I’d appreciate every avant-gardist designer he decided to work with !!!

32. Favourite Duncan moment and/or quote?

I think when he confronted his uncle. heartbreaking. and also

PARDON MY BLUNTNESS

35. Chiyo, Missy or Calvin?

CHIYO MY BABY, AN ICON, NEXT GEN INFLUENCER !!!!

43. A song you associate with either Cody or his characters?

not me creating 4 spotify playlists last year 😭MICHAEL XAVIER DUNCAN JIM

48. Would you rather go on a road trip with Jim or Xavier?

ahhh okay since I’ve chosen jim in the previous ask, I’ll go with Xav omg I’d be so funnnn <3 can you imagine? you and him on his Vanta C listening to the mixtapes he made for you omg, traveling together ahhh

50. Where the fuck is Duncan Shepherd?

he’s too busy [redacted] meeeee hello goodbye sksksksk daddy can’t come to the phone right know 😭

[edenwolfie]

Ok the MDZS ask thingy : General 1, ships 6, characters 5, story 3, fic 5. XD

Thank you for the ask!

If you had to join a sect, which would you join? I think I’d like Gusu Lan the best. I love structure, chill vibes, their whole aesthetic, and playing music. (oh and also bunny rabbits!)

Describe a ship in five words. Oh I’m not good at these. For Wangxian, and for me specifically, it would have to be: I’m going to fucking scream. Because that’s the mood. I see them, and they yearn, and I go absolutely feral.

Favourite character of the juniors? [don’t forget OYZZ] This is so hardddd, I love them all for different reasons. Having to pick though, I think it would have to be Lan Sizhui, my good sweet baby boy.

You can bring one character back to life, but you must pick someone else to die in their place. Would you do it? How would this affect the story? I'm bringing Jiang Yanli back because I love her, and I’m killing Xue Yang because as much as I also love him, he is a fucking dickbag trashlord.  > So, going CQL canon, likely big effects on main story with saving Jiang Yanli is Wei Wuxian isn’t immediately swan diving off that cliff. > Jin Ling gets to keep his Mother. > Jiang Yanli out here with Therapy Soup for the Boys so get some reconciliation happening? Maybe be like hmmm, there be some suspicious shit going on around here lads. > Then basically welcome to a whole new canon divergence fic - I gotta not think about it too hard or I’ll have to write it and I’ve got enough fic on my plate lol. Though, does kind of play into one of the side projects I’ve been fiddling with. > DontTemptMeFrodo.gif > For some reason this means Xue Yang trips down a ravine and dies so he’s not out here fucking with Song Lan or Xiao Xingchen, so they, plus adopted daughter A-Qing, get happy ending times. 

Recommend a fanfic!! Can be yours or someone else’s. As a shameless self promo, I have an ongoing canon divergence series here. But as a legitimate rec, today I’m going to have to go with my age has never made me wise by idrilka (its not letting me tag for some reason :( tumblr is a website) because I’m literally just doing a re-read today as I was thinking about how good it was and how it made me cry the first time I read it, and was like, man, I’d like to really get all up in those feelings this afternoon and oh boy, it does not disappoint. Beautifully written and the first half never fails to fucking punch me directly in the heart. You want some post-show feels? Get you some in this fic.

[batbetbitbotbut]

I dyed!

This was my first big dye project.  I’ve also made a couple pairs of socks lately and more yarn besides (and the photo above is 3ply handspun fingering, woo!) but getting good photos of socks is HARDDDD, I’m gonna have to coerce a friend to do it.  Anyway, I love the purples I got even if they weren’t the ones I planned for, and it should make a beautiful shawl as a gift.

[frighthouseofalighthouse]

I'M GONNA DO IT TO EM' ALL ASKS THAT YOU REBLOG TONIGHT TILL 10 AM TOMORROW.... DO THEM!!!!

Hey, you had to do it to ‘em! Here they are starting with the most recent.

“Weird asks that say a lot”

1. coffee mugs, teacups, wine glasses, water bottles, or soda cans?

Coffee mugs because you can use them for everything. Teacups are too small for a proper cuppa.

2. chocolate bars or lollipops?

Chocolate bars always.

3. bubblegum or cotton candy?

Bubblegum, which I miss so much. I haven’t had it in over 2 years bc of my braces

4. how did your elementary school teachers describe you?

I didn’t go to public school but all the adults who dealt with me said I was sociable and tried to get everyone to do the group projects but no one listened so I ended up sitting alone reading and quietly doing the project.

5. do you prefer to drink soda from soda cans, soda bottles, plastic cups or glass cups?

Glass BOTTLES make it taste superior.

6. pastel, boho, tomboy, preppy, goth, grunge, formal or sportswear?

Pastel boho preppy goth best describes my style.

7. earbuds or headphones?

Earbuds, but only rubber tipped ones. The plastic ones never fit in my ears. Also headphones never cover my whole ear right. :/

8. movies or tv shows?

TV shows keep my attention span better.

9. favorite smell in the summer?

Brewing thunderstorms.

10. game you were best at in p.e.?

None. But trampoline if I had to pick.

11. what you have for breakfast on an average day?

Scrambled eggs, peanut butter toast, and some kind of fruit.

12. name of your favorite playlist?

My main one is Things You Love. My one for writing is Queen And Country, and my other two favorites are Summer Songs and A Queen Knows How To Fight A War.

13. lanyard or key ring?

Key ring, lanyards get in the way.

14. favorite non-chocolate candy?

Swedish Fish or Sour Patch Kids.

15. favorite book you read as a school assignment?

OH MAN. To Kill A Mockingbird, The Great Gatsby, Fahrenheit 451, The Grapes Of Wrath, and The Handmaid’s Tale were definitely my top 5 in English class.

16. most comfortable position to sit in?

Curled up sideways in an armchair with my legs slung over the arm. Sitting normally sucks.

17. most frequently worn pair of shoes?

Either pair of my black boots, or my pink floral Skechers that I wear to work.

18. ideal weather?

60 degrees, cloudy, windy, with a chance of rain.

19. sleeping position?

On my right side, arms around a fluffy pillow, one leg out straight and the other drawn up with my knee to my chest.

20. preferred place to write (i.e., in a note book, on your laptop, sketchpad, post-it notes, etc.)?

Laptop. I’m trying to exercise my hand and wrist so I don’t tire as quick of notebook writing, though.

21. obsession from childhood?

History, Nancy Drew books, Harry Potter, and ghost stories.

22. role model?

The person I am but don’t think I am.

23. strange habits?

Pulling my shirt collar up over my nose and mouth/putting it in my mouth and chewing on it.

24. favorite crystal?

Amethyst, my birthstone! Close second is blue goldstone. (Have you ever seen it? It looks like the universe. I have a worrystone made of blue goldstone and it’s one of my prized possessions.)

25. first song you remember hearing?

Something from church probably. Outside of church probably one of these: If I Had A Hammer // Peter, Paul and Mary, Puff The Magic Dragon // Peter, Paul and Mary, Scarborough Fair // Simon & Garfunkel, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald // Gordon Lightfoot.

26. favorite activity to do in warm weather?

Sit in the shade.

27. favorite activity to do in cold weather?

Drink tea, read, and play either Pokemon or Nancy Drew and the Clue Benders Society on my 3DS.

28. five songs to describe you?

The Pines // Roses & Revolutions, I Am Here // Pink, Walk Me Home // Pink, Call Home // Heathers (not the musical), Traveler’s Song // Aviators

29. best way to bond with you?

Talk to me about history, crime, musicals, books, or tv shows

30. places that you find sacred?

Natural swamps. Libraries. Old, overgrown gardens. Anywhere historic. Pine forests at dusk. Anywhere under a clear night sky.

31. what outfit do you wear to kick ass and take names?

A plaid shirt, black leggings, and black boots with dark neutral lipstick and a black choker.

32. top five favorite vines?

Fre she vocado, BENTLEY NOOOOO, uhhh I sure hope it does, the one of Lin Manuel-Miranda trying to brainstorm, and this bitch empty YEEt

33. most used phrase in your phone?

Idk how to find this out

34. advertisements you have stuck in your head?

Idk if this is just a local thing here but WOW ITS NATURESTONE

35. average time you fall asleep?

12-1 nowadays.

36. what is the first meme you remember ever seeing?

I can haz cheezburger

37. suitcase or duffel bag?

Depends. Suitcase for things like my laptop that are better protected than in a duffel bag, but duffel bag otherwise because they’re easier to carry.

38. lemonade or tea?

TEAAAAA

39. lemon cake or lemon meringue pie?

Both please

40. weirdest thing to ever happen at your school?

My house? We had a safe word when we did math. It was “quokka.” If we got overwhelmed we’d say it and then stop and look at pictures of quokkas.

41. last person you texted?

My friend and coworker.

42. jacket pockets or pants pockets?

Jacket pockets.

43. hoodie, leather jacket, cardigan, jean jacket or bomber jacket?

Cardigan or hoodie

44. favorite scent for soap?

Lavender

45. which genre: sci-fi, fantasy or superhero?

Fantasy. It takes me a bit to get into fantasy books usually, but sci-fi is hard to follow and superhero is mostly predictable.

46. most comfortable outfit to sleep in?

Fuzzy pants and a t shirt

47. favorite type of cheese?

Muenster, parmesan, or goat cheese

48. if you were a fruit, what kind would you be?

Raspberry

49. what saying or quote do you live by?

“I have no country to fight for. My country is the earth, and I am a citizen of this world.” - Eugene V. Debs

50. what made you laugh the hardest you ever have?

A weird local political ad a couple years back.

51. current stresses?

My recent breakup, an overnight shift I work on Wednesday night, and trying to find time to go out to a corn maze with my friend.

52. favorite font?

Baskerville or Georgia.

53. what is the current state of your hands?

Covered in small cuts and scrapes from work, nails picked short, black nail polish mostly peeled off.

54. what did you learn from your first job?

babysitting job: Kids suck never have more than one. Retail job: being on your fee it hardddd

55. favorite fairy tale?

Beauty and the Beast or Rapunzel

56. favorite tradition?

Looking at Halloween decorations

57. the three biggest struggles you’ve overcome?

Cutting, being manipulated by my dad, and letting other people make me believe I wasn’t good enough (still working on that one)

58. four talents you’re proud of having?

Writing, puzzle-solving, singing, and calligraphy

59. if you were a video game character, what would your catchphrase be?

“Oh shit waddup”

60. if you were a character in an anime, what kind of anime would you want it to be?

One of those preppy gothic private school animes with a dark secret lurking around the corner

61. favorite line you heard from a book/movie/tv show/etc.?

Book: “Ignoring isn’t the same as ignorance. You have to work at it.” - The Handmaid’s Tale. Movie: “It’s not about deserve. It’s about what you believe. And I believe in love.” - Wonder Woman. TV Show: “I am the Bad Wolf. I create myself.” - Doctor Who.

62. seven characters you relate to?

Hermione Granger, Luna Lovegood, Remus Lupin, Richard Gansey III, Blue Sargent, Dean Winchester, Charlie Bradbury.

63. five songs that would play in your club?

Same five that I said describe me.

64. favorite website from your childhood?

Webkinz and the old American Girl site circa 2009.

65. any permanent scars?

One down my chest from heart surgery as a baby, lots from self harm on my arms/legs, some on my left knee from falling as a kid, and one on the back of my right heel from being pecked by a goose at the fair when I was 11.

66. favorite flower(s)?

Sunflowers, roses, and dahlias.

67. good luck charms?

Myself.

68. worst flavor of any food or drink you’ve ever tried?

Ranch anything.

69. a fun fact that you don’t know how you learned?

Jellyfish have no brains and no heart.

70. left or right handed?

I’m third generation left handed!

71. least favorite pattern?

Vertical stripes.

72. worst subject?

Math.

73. favorite weird flavor combo?

Wendy’s fries and chocolate frosty.

74. at what pain level out of ten (1 through 10) do you have to be at before you take an advil or ibuprofen?

7. Usually I just ignore it because I have a “high pain tolerance” (which means I like to put myself through minor pains because I think I deserve it)

75. when did you lose your first tooth?

Age 5. I was trying to blow up an inflatable ball and it came out.

76. what’s your favorite potato food (i.e. tater tots, baked potatoes, fries, chips, etc.)?

ALL POTATOES EXCEPT POTATO SALAD

77. best plant to grow on a windowsill?

Violets.

78. coffee from a gas station or sushi from a grocery store?

Neither, both suck equally.

79. which looks better, your school id photo or your driver’s license photo?

Never had a school id so I guess the license

80. earth tones or jewel tones?

Earth tones for me

81. fireflies or lightning bugs?

...They are literally the same thing

82. pc or console?

PC

83. writing or drawing?

Writing. I absolutely cannot draw.

84. podcasts or talk radio?

Podcasts, talk radio is so obnoxious.

84. barbie or polly pocket?

Barbie. The clothes are easier to take on and off. I used to accidentally rip polly pocket clothes all the time.

85. fairy tales or mythology?

Mythology. I like it because it explains things, it’s creation stories, its origins. Fairy tales are just fantasies or cautionary tales.

86. cookies or cupcakes?

Cookies.

87. your greatest fear?

Rejection, drowning, and clowns.

88. your greatest wish?

To be a semi-successful author and historian.

89. who would you put before everyone else?

My mom.

90. luckiest mistake?

Not succeeding in killing myself!

91. boxes or bags?

Bags.

92. lamps, overhead lights, sunlight or fairy lights?

Dim lamps if they have yellow bulbs. I hate white lights. And also fairy lights yes please.

93. nicknames?

Ellie, Ell, Little Lion, Lioness.

94. favorite season?

FALLLLL

95. favorite app on your phone?

Tumblr, Spotify, or Instagram.

96. desktop background?

97. how many phone numbers do you have memorized?

6.

98. favorite historical era?

Revolutionary War-era America or late Victorian England.

THIS GOT REALLY LONG AND I DONT WANNA HIT THE TEXT BLOCK LIMIT SO IMMA DO ALL THE HALLOWEEN ONES SEPARATELY, MAYBE IN THE MORNING.

[obscure-starship]

Random update:

I'm not dead! Just trying to work on some stuff behind the scenes. Working on my big project too! (Long story, seriously, 3 years long.) Also trying to get my art where I want it, and it's hardddd. And I'm trying to dodge su spoilers. Which is also hard cause people put spoilers in their title.

Welp, just wanted to clarify I'm not dead! :P

[verbballetstaipei-blog]

Day 9

I am actually writing this post the next day (I hit a hardddd wall and fell asleep quickly last night--first full night of sleep straight through since I've been in Taiwan, wooo!) so it shall be brief. Yesterday started with a delightful morning walk to Lungshan temple and Herb Alley. Along the way, I ended up finding a cute street that was reconstructed to look like its original architecture from the early 1900s. I walked into a gallery on the street and was guided by a chipper senior design major through a series of graduating design students' final projects. They were so excited that I stopped by and eager to show me their work...and they were very talented! Each group gave me a little gift before sending me off to the next gallery. I now have several custom-designed hand fans and postcards😎 At the end, everyone asked for my advice on their work (which made me laugh because who am I to critique them?), then they wanted to take a picture with me (group pics are hugeee here) so now we're officially buds! After my impromptu art walk I wandered around herb alley. I've never enjoyed inhaling so much! Ha. Being surrounded by all of the healing plants felt so invigorating, I wanted to smell everything. Unfortunately, I had no idea what most of the herbs were (only mandarin labeling--I feel illiterate here!) but I ended up getting one bag of something thanks to lots of sampling from a kind Burmese man. I think I'm supposed to boil it in water and let it cook for 40 minutes or something along those lines? I have some serious googling to do when I get back to the states. But why would I want the adventures to end in Taiwan? Post walk, I met up with the company and we headed to Fu Shing High School for our last outreach event. The students were incredibly respectful and lined the halls standing at attention. They did welcome and thank you cheers and bowed often. I felt kind of funny being treated with such reverence, so I made sure to introduce myself to as many students as possible to invite conversation. Although it made me feel a littler weird to be on the receiving end, I think American students could learn from the respect that Taiwanese students display. They're so well-mannered! After a eating a tasty lunch provided by the school and taking many many group pictures, we took a masterclass from Richard with their senior students. It felt so good to dance and move again! Even though I took a ballet class Saturday, The company had the rest of the 3 days off so most of us were starting to feel antsy. We are a group of movers that are addicted to exercise endorphins! We said goodbye to the students after the mini performance with another selfie session (where two girls followed me to the bathroom and waited for me to pee to get a picture😳) and moved studios to rehearse. Oof. Rehearsals were tough today. 3 days off! That might not seem like a lot but when you have a tough program and you had 5 days off prior to that, it's easy for choreography to feel alien. I got a lot of notes today; notes are corrections you get after doing a run of a piece. Because we have such a quick turnaround before our performances this weekend, I made sure to write them down so I can review and fix them for our next rehearsal. Then I can get more notes on different things, and then hopefully I can fix those too! And the process will continue until the pieces performance ready...hopefully 🙏 Nice and sweaty, team verb decided to pass on a hot spring excursion for a shower and dinner instead. Christina is severely allergic to eggs, so we opted for an Italian restaurant that used egg free noodles. The food was fine but eating at a place where the full company could be well-fed was real treat😍 Plus our waiter was SO patient with all of our special requests (including my own vegetarian-oriented blabbing). I'm sure most American staff would have thrown in several eye-rolls with what he had to put up with. But he smiled the whole time!Tummies stuffed with pasta, we decided to take a late night shopping walk (we killed that souvenir game) before headed to bed. And then I actually sleptttt!! Yayyy! Can't wait to see what all happens in Taipei today! Kate✌️