#SINT MAARTEN NEWS

[stmaartennews-blog]

Prime Minister Rutte formally apologizes for slavery in the past St Maarten Won't Accept

Prime Minister Rutte formally apologizes for slavery in the past St Maarten Won’t Accept

http://sxmgovernment.com/2022/12/19/prime-minister-rutte-formally-apologizes-for-slavery-in-the-past-st-maarten-wont-accept/

[msterpicasso]

@ceeouncess/@cee0z

[rabbitcruiser]

National Straw Hat Day

Straw Hat Day falls on May 15th, a day dedicated to celebrating straw hats’ versatility and timeless appeal.

It’s a fun way to welcome warmer weather while acknowledging the hat’s long history as both a practical item for sun protection and a fashion statement.

People across various cultures have embraced straw hats for centuries, from Ecuador’s finely woven Panama hats to the Mokorotlo of South Africa, highlighting their global appeal and adaptability​​.

The day encourages everyone to explore the wide range of styles straw hats offer, from classic boaters and fedoras to contemporary designs.

It’s the perfect occasion to showcase personal style, whether by wearing a favorite straw hat or even crafting a unique one. The celebration isn’t just about style; it also serves as a reminder of the straw hat’s functionality in providing shade and cooling relief on sunny days​​.

Engaging in Straw Hat Day can be as simple as donning a straw hat or as creative as designing and decorating one’s own. It’s also a great opportunity for community participation through local parades, festivals, and fashion shows.

At such events, the diverse interpretations of straw hat styles can be fully displayed. The holiday stands out for its quirky charm, promoting a light-hearted and enjoyable way to enjoy the outdoors and express individuality through fashion​.

History of Straw Hat Day

The tradition of wearing straw hats dates back even further. They were part of fashion trends from the Middle Ages and gained popularity in the 19th century, especially for summer sporting events like boating.

Straw hats became a summer and informal attire symbol, even in big cities, by the early 20th century​.

In the United States, Straw Hat Day became an official event in New Orleans in the 1920s, thanks to a proclamation by Mayor Andrew McShane.

The day was marked with much fanfare, including record-breaking hat sales, cannon firings, and even hats thrown from building roofs. For about four decades, the day was celebrated with great enthusiasm, with activities ranging from parades to giveaways.

However, as the fashion of wearing hats daily waned in the 1960s, so did the popularity of Straw Hat Day​​.

A significant, though more somber, part of straw hat history is the Straw Hat Riot of 1922 in New York City. This event highlighted the social importance and rules surrounding hat-wearing at the time.

There was an unwritten rule that straw hats were only appropriate until September 15th, after which men were expected to switch to felt or silk hats. Violations of this convention could lead to public ridicule or even the physical destruction of the straw hat by others.

The riot began when youths prematurely started enforcing the rule, leading to widespread brawls and significant social disruption​.

This history not only shows the importance of straw hats in fashion but also reflects on social norms and behaviors of past times.

Today, Straw Hat Day is a lighter, more celebratory remembrance of these traditions, encouraging everyone to enjoy and appreciate the timeless style of straw hats.

How to Celebrate Straw Hat Day

Celebrating Straw Hat Day is an opportunity to embrace fashion’s quirky and fun side. Here are some playful and engaging ways to mark the occasion:

Hat Hackathon

Why not personalize your straw hat? Think about adding colorful ribbons, vibrant flowers, or even painting a masterpiece on it. You can turn this into a friendly competition among friends to see who comes up with the most creative design​​.

Picnic with Panache

Imagine a sunny day at the park, you and your friends lounging on blankets, all donning stylish straw hats. It’s not just about the hats but making memories under the open sky, enjoying good food and great company.

Festival or Parade Participation

Local festivals or parades often celebrate Straw Hat Day. Dress up in your finest straw hat and join the fun. You might even discover some impressive hat designs that inspire your next creation​.

Garden Crafts

Transform your straw hat into a unique piece of art for your garden. From whimsical wreaths to charming planters, let your creativity blossom. It’s a delightful way to blend fashion and nature​​.

Straw Hat Photoshoot

Dress up in your favorite outfits complemented by straw hats and have a photoshoot. Whether it’s in your backyard, a city street, or a picturesque park, capture the joy of Straw Hat Day​​.

Source

[minnesotafollower]

U.S. Again Ranks Cuba in Worst Category for Human Trafficking

On June 24, the U.S. State Department released its 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report on human trafficking, whose “severe forms” are defined in the U.S. Trafficking Victims Proetection Act (TVPA) as: “sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such an act has not attained 18 years of age” or “the recruitment,…

[kittyj58]

Earth Day 🌱

Earth: the 3rd planet from the sun according to our take on the Solar System’s outer workings, and the place we call home. Flowers in Antigua 💐 She is the reason we are literal living beings. Brooklyn Kitty 🐈‍⬛ Why do we ignore her pleas for help, and destroy her in a quest to appease capital greed? A view of the Caribbean Sea via Sint Maarten 🌊 Let’s do better. Echo Lakes, NJ 🪵 Heal our…

[ilucyliu-blog]

“TRX Will Be Accepted in China” – Justin Sun Makes Bold Claim

Tron founder Justin Sun names five countries to make TRX legal tender. Sun’s Huobi Global exchange underwent massive lay-offs in late 2022. Sun’s USDD stablecoin hasn’t reclaimed $1.00 since 22 November 2022. Chinese crypto mogul Justin Sun took to Twitter to reveal his New Year’s Resolution. In an early Sunday morning tweet, Mr. Sun disclosed that his KPI for 2023 is “to get 5 countries to…

[sintmaartennews]

Special Action Team arrests man in firearm and narcotics investigation. Dutch Sint Maarten

Special Action Team arrests man in firearm and narcotics investigation. Dutch Sint Maarten Special Action Team arrests man in firearm and narcotics investigation. On Monday, 3 October 2022, the Special Action Team of the Police Force of Sint Maarten KPSM conducted a control in Cay Bay in connection with narcotics and firearms. 14th No confirmed cases of Monkeypox in Sint Maarten During the…

[comyet]

PRODUCT & SHIPPING INFO

My shop opens in less than 3 hours! 💛 While we're here I wanted to give some info on how this sale operates given it's a bit different than the first two, seeing how low the stock is. I want to make sure everything goes as nicely as possible 👉👈

The sale will be happening on my personal shop! I'll be linking it here in a new post as soon as the clock hits 5pm CET (UTC+1) <3

2. The Color Range stickers will be sold individually! Be ready to pick the colors you would like ahead of time.

3. I highly highly recommend preparing all your shipping info in advance and making sure everything is correct ahead of time! Any faulty address info might lead to your order being delayed and returned and that comes with the risk of it getting lost too, and I am not responsible for faulty addresses, so let's spare ourselves the trouble. Let's make it easy on all of us!

Here is what you need to get ready for purchase:

*First name

*Last name

*Your address (the number of your apt complex/house and the street name)

Optional: Your apartment number/ PO box number if you have one

*Your city

*Your state/department if it applies to your country

*Your ZIP/postal code

*Your country (for US people living in the state of Georgia, make sure to put Georgia as your state and not your country!)

Optional: Your phone number

*Your email address

Optional: any other specific info you'd like me to add to your envelope

Please make sure to verify all your info so it's all ready for when you purchase! Additionally, please make sure you have the funds necessary to purchase. If you have any questions, you will be able to use the contact page. Feel free to send me an ask as well!

4. Here is a list of the countries I currently CANNOT ship to!

Russia, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Netherlands Antilles, Aruba, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Turks & Caicos Islands, Jamaica, Montserrat, Puerto-Rico, Sint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Maarten (Dutch), Laos, Myanmar, Mongolia, North Korea, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, Kosovo See you very soon!!

[nerdsbianhokie]

Reading the World

In 2023, I challenged myself to watch a movie from every country in the world during the year, which I more or less succeeded. At the start of this year I decided to read a book from every country in the world (without the time restraint) and got a map to track my progress along with a challenge on Story Graph.

List of countries and books below the cut

Current count: 37

Afghanistan:

Albania:

Algeria:

American Samoa:

Andorra: Andorra: a play in twelve scenes by Max Frisch

Angola: The Whistler by Ondjaki

Anguilla:

Antigua and Barbuda:

Argentina: Our Share of the Night by Mariana Enríquez

Armenia:

Aruba:

Australia:

Austria:

Azerbaijan:

Bahamas:

Bahrain:

Bangladesh:

Barbados:

Belarus:

Belgium:

Belize:

Benin:

Bermuda:

Bhutan: Folktales of Bhutan by Kunzang Choden

Bolivia:

Bosnia and Herzegovina:

Botswana:

Brazil:

British Virgin Islands:

Brunei:

Bulgaria:

Burkina Faso:

Burundi:

Cambodia:

Cameroon: The Impatient by Djaïli Amadou Amal

Canada: The Gift is in the making: Anishinaabeg Stories retold by Amanda Strong and Leanne Betasamosake Simpson

Canary Islands: Dogs of Summer by Andrea Abreu

Cape Verde:

Cayman Islands:

Central African Republic: Co-wives, Co-widows by Adrienne Yabouza

Chad:

Chile: The Twilight Zone by Nona Fernández

China: The Secret Talker by Geling Yan

Christmas Islands:

Cocos Islands:

Colombia:

Comoros:

Cook Islands:

Costa Rica:

Croatia:

Cuba:

Curacao:

Cyprus:

Czech Republic:

Dem. Rep. of Congo:

Denmark:

Djibouti:

Dominica:

Dominican Republic:

Ecuador:

Egypt:

El Salvador:

Equatorial Guinea:

Eritrea:

Estonia:

Eswatini:

Ethiopia:

Falkland Islands:

Faroe Islands:

Fiji:

Finland:

France: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

French Guiana:

French Polynesia:

Gabon:

Gambia:

Georgia:

Germany: At the Edge of the Night by Friedo Lampe

Ghana: Wife of the Gods by Kwei Quartey

Gibraltar:

Greece:

Greenland:

Grenada:

Guam:

Guatemala:

Guernsey:

Guinea:

Guinea-Bissau:

Guyana:

Haiti:

Honduras:

Hong Kong:

Hungary:

Iceland:

India: Coming Out as Dalit: A Memoir Of Surviving India's Caste System by Yashica Dutt

Indonesia:

Iran: Darius the Great is Not Okay by Abid Khorram

Iraq: Frankenstein in Baghdad by Ahmed Saadawi

Ireland:

Isle of Man:

Israel:

Italy:

Ivory Coast:

Jamaica: When Life Gives You Mangos by Kereen Getten

Japan:

Jordan:

Kazakhstan:

Kenya:

Kiribati:

Kosovo:

Kuwait:

Kyrgyzstan:

Laos:

Latvia:

Lebanon: Beirut Hellfire Society by Rawi Hage

Lesotho:

Liberia:

Libya: Zodiac of Echoes by Khaled Mattawa

Liechtenstein:

Lithuania:

Luxembourg:

Macedonia:

Madagascar:

Malawi:

Malaysia:

Maldives:

Mali:

Malta:

Marshall Islands:

Mauritania:

Mauritius:

Mexico: Silver Nitrate by Silvia Morena-Garcia

Micronesia:

Moldova:

Monaco:

Mongolia:

Montenegro:

Montserrat:

Morocco:

Mozambique:

Myanmar: Smile as They Bow by Nu Nu Yi

Namibia:

Nauru:

Nepal:

Netherlands: We Had to Remove this Post by Hanna Bervoets

New Caledonia:

New Zealand:

Nicaragua:

Niger:

Nigeria: Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani

Niue:

Norfolk Island:

North Korea: A Thousand Miles to Freedom: My Escape from North Korea by Eunsun Kim

Northern Mariana Islands:

Norway: Blind Goddess by Anne Holt

Oman:

Pakistan: Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H

Palau:

Palestine: The Skin and Its Girl by Sarah Cypher

Panama:

Papua New Guinea:

Paraguay:

Peru:

Philippines:

Pitcairn Islands:

Poland: Return from the Stars by Stanisław Lem

Portugal:

Puerto Rico:

Qatar:

Rep. of the Congo:

Romania:

Russia:

Rwanda: Baking Cakes in Kigali by Gaile Parkin

Saint Barthelemy:

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha:

Saint Kitts and Nevis:

Saint Lucia:

Saint Martin:

Saint Pierre and Miquelon:

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines:

Samoa:

San Marino:

Sao Tome and Principe:

Saudi Arabia:

Senegal:

Serbia:

Seychelles:

Sierra Leone:

Singapore:

Sint Maarten:

Slovakia:

Slovenia:

Solomon Islands:

Somalia:

South Africa:

South Korea:

South Sudan:

Spain:

Sri Lanka: The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka

Sudan: The Translator: A Memoir by Daoud Hari

Suriname:

Sweden: Fire from the Sky by Moa Backe Åstot

Switzerland:

Syria: The Book Collectors: A Band of Syrian Rebels and the Stories That Carried Them Through a War by Delphine Minoui

Taiwan:

Tajikistan: The Sandalwood Box: Folk Tales from Tadzhikistan by Hans Baltzer

Tanzania:

Thailand:

Togo:

Tokelau:

Tonga:

Trinidad and Tobago:

Tunisia:

Turkey:

Turkmenistan:

Turks and Caicos Islands:

Tuvalu:

Uganda:

Ukraine:

United Arab Emirates:

United Kingdom: Poyums by Len Pennie

United States of America: Reclaiming Two-Spirits: Sexuality, Spiritual Renewal & Sovereignty in Native America by Gregory D. Smithers

United States Virgin Islands:

Uruguay:

Uzbekistan:

Venezuela:

Vietnam:

Wallis and Futuna:

Western Sahara:

Yemen:

Zambia:

Zimbabwe: We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo

[stmaartennews-blog]

Heyliger-Marten calls for lawful Kingdom Relationships at Congress in The Hague

Heyliger-Marten calls for lawful Kingdom Relationships at Congress in The Hague Heyliger-Marten calls for lawful Kingdom Relationships at Congress in The Hague MP Emmanuel: Giving back money you Illegally took should not be celebrated In an address delivered at the 32nd InterExpo Congress in The Hague (Netherlands) last Thursday, independent Member of Parliament (MP) Grisha Heyliger-Marten…

[burgerking-official]

Hello people. I am wishing you a happy new year from Burger King.

I wish a happy 2024 to all people in Abkhazia, Afghanistan, The Aland Islands, Albania, Algeria, Aotearoa, Andorra, Angola, Antarctica, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Artsakh, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Catalonia, The Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, The Cook Islands, Colombia, Comoros, Congo-Brazzaville, Congo-Kinshasa, Cornwall, Costa Rica, Cote D’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Curacao, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, The Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, England, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Euskadi, The Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gagauzia, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Guyane, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, The Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mann, The Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, The Netherlands, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Northern Cyprus, North Korea, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, The Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Senegal, Serbia, The Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Sint Maarten, Slovakia, Slovenia, The Solomon Islands, Somalia, Somaliland, South Africa, South Korea, South Ossetia, South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Transnistria, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkiye, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, The United Arab Emirates, The United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, The Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Vojvodina, Wales, Western Sahara, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

If I missed your country, I don’t care. I’m too tired to care.

[rabbitcruiser]

National Dolphin Day  

Get involved with raising awareness and showing support for these beautiful sea mammals who live at risk each day due to human threats. World Dolphin Day provides an excellent opportunity for individuals and organizations to extend care so these animals can live a safe, happy and long life!

History of World Dolphin Day

The inaugural World Dolphin Day was celebrated in 2022 through the efforts of and support of Sea Shepherd Global. This event was established to pay respect to the world’s most devastating slaughter of cetaceans (the sea mammal family including dolphins, whales and porpoises) in recorded history. On September 12, 2021, more than 1400 dolphins were killed off the Faroe Islands as part of a cultural tradition.

Since the time of that slaughter, the government of the Faroe Islands has been under scrutiny for this brutal practice. While they have set provisional limits on the number of white-sided dolphins that can be killed during this “grind” hunting tradition, the limits remain very generous and this is considered by many to be an empty gesture. Supporters of the dolphins believe that this practice is particularly cruel and outdated and should be stopped altogether.

World Dolphin Day is an important time to raise awareness about the plight of these majestic sea creatures, notably because of their endangered status due to human activity. This day is slightly different from National Dolphin Day, which is celebrated in April and typically only observed in the United States.

How to Celebrate World Dolphin Day

Show some love and appreciation for these incredibly intelligent and fascinating sea creatures in honor of World Dolphin Day! Get started with some of these ideas for the day:

Join the Stop the Grind Coalition

One of the most important factors about World Dolphin Day is the effort to reduce the number of needless dolphin and whale killings during the Faroe Islands tradition called the “grind”. Those who want to learn more about this tradition and the efforts to save the dolphins might want to connect with Stop the Grind or make a donation.

Learn More About Dolphins 

Get involved with the appreciation of these incredibly intelligent creatures by enjoying World Dolphin Day. Learn more and share with others to raise awareness for the day, perhaps connecting through some of these interesting facts:

Dolphins only sleep with half of their brains. This “unihemispheric slow-wave sleep” means they sleep with half of their brain and shut the opposite eye, allowing them to still monitor their surroundings. Each side of the brain gets about four hours of sleep each day.

Dolphins can be very fast swimmers. If they are in a hurry or trying to move away from something dangerous, dolphins have been clocked swimming up to 25 miles per hour.

As mammals, dolphins breathe air from above the surface of the water. But they can hold their breath much longer than humans can. Most dolphins can easily stay underwater for 8-10 minutes and some species can last up to 15 minutes before emerging to take a breath.

Dolphins are highly intelligent, social creatures. They live in pods of sometimes thousands and often help each other when they are hunting. They also have a long-term family bond where a calf stays with the mother for up to seven years, which is rare in the animal kingdom.

Source

[riyadhdm]

My Journey to Saint Martin and What I Learned

I remember the first time I heard about Saint Martin—it was from a friend who couldn't stop talking about the crystal-clear waters and serene beaches. At that moment, I was hooked. The idea of visiting a paradise like that was something I couldn’t shake. Months passed, but the thought lingered, and finally, I decided to pack my bags and head to the island for an experience that would stay with me forever.

The Challenge: Taking the Leap

Traveling, for me, wasn’t new, but Saint Martin was unlike any place I had ever been. It's a small island with two nations sharing the same land—French Saint-Martin and Dutch Sint Maarten. It wasn’t just the stunning beauty I was after, but also the culture, the food, and the sense of adventure I had longed for during the last few months of mundane routines. The challenge wasn’t the travel logistics—it was taking the leap. I was in the middle of balancing work, responsibilities, and personal life. But something inside urged me to break the monotony, step away from the familiar, and embrace the unknown.

The island seemed to promise more than just a vacation. For me, it was an opportunity to refresh and reconnect with a side of myself that had been buried under work deadlines and responsibilities. But still, leaving behind the familiar for a solo journey felt intimidating.

The Journey: Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone

The journey to Saint Martin was not just about getting on a plane. It was about stepping out of my comfort zone and facing the inevitable uncertainties that come with solo travel. The flight from my city to the island was long, but once I stepped off the plane and felt the warm tropical breeze, the anxiety began to melt away. It wasn’t just the landscape that was welcoming—the locals were friendly, always smiling, and offering help even before I asked.

I checked into a small beachside hotel on the Dutch side of the island. It wasn’t the fanciest place, but it had its charm—simple, clean, and a stone’s throw away from the beach. Each morning, I woke up to the sound of the waves and the sight of the sun rising over the ocean. The sense of peace and fulfillment I felt in those moments was something beyond any material value.

The days that followed were filled with exploration. I hiked through lush green hills, visited the local markets, and indulged in Creole and French cuisine that made me rethink everything I knew about food. The island had its quirks—roads that were a bit bumpy, sudden rain showers—but these were all part of the charm.

I remember one specific moment during a boat tour around the island. We were nearing the famous Maho Beach, where planes land just a few meters above your head. As I stood on the deck, watching the massive aircraft approach, I felt an overwhelming sense of freedom and connection to the world around me. That single moment reminded me of how small we are in the grand scheme of things and how important it is to embrace life’s unpredictability.

The Outcome: Lessons Learned

My trip to Saint Martin was more than just a break from routine; it was a reminder of what life could be when we let go of control and embrace the journey. The island’s beauty was undeniable, but it was the experiences, the small moments of connection with nature and people, that made it meaningful.

Here’s what I learned from my journey to Saint Martin:

It’s Okay to Take a Break: Often, we get so caught up in our daily lives that we forget to take time for ourselves. The trip reminded me that it’s okay to pause and recharge. The world won’t fall apart if you step away for a while.

Embrace the Unknown: Traveling solo was daunting at first, but it pushed me to be more open to new experiences. It taught me that the most rewarding moments often come from the unexpected.

Nature is the Best Therapy: There's something incredibly healing about being close to nature, whether it's watching the waves, hiking through a forest, or just breathing in fresh air. It gives you perspective, calms your mind, and makes you feel more connected to the world.

People Make the Place: While the island was beautiful, it was the kindness of the locals that made my experience unforgettable. Their warmth, generosity, and openness reminded me of the importance of human connection.

Adventure is Everywhere: You don’t need to climb mountains or jump out of airplanes to find adventure. Sometimes, adventure is just about trying something new, meeting new people, or seeing a place with fresh eyes.

Conclusion: Reflecting on the Experience

Looking back, I realize that my journey to Saint Martin wasn’t just a vacation—it was a personal transformation. It allowed me to break free from the routines that had been holding me back and to rediscover a sense of wonder. The experience reminded me that life is meant to be lived fully, without hesitation, and that sometimes, all we need is a change of scenery to reset our minds and souls.

If I could offer one piece of advice to anyone reading this, it would be this: Don’t wait for the perfect moment to take that leap. Whether it’s traveling to a new place or trying something you’ve always wanted to do—just go for it. The lessons you’ll learn and the experiences you’ll have will be worth more than anything you could have imagined.

[lieutenant-amuel]

Since I know you enjoy languages, what la gauges inspire the Marswickian phrases and language Freida and her family speak? Is it all a real language or do you mix it up?

I have a very interesting (no) story with Frida’s non-Avaloran origins that I probably already told everyone but I’ll share it again either way because I don’t want my answer to be too short ajdhfkkf.

For a long time I thought Maarswik was inspired by Scandinavian countries (Norway, Sweden, and Denmark). If you read WBTL since the beginning, you might remember her last name was Berg originally. Frida Berg. It honestly was a terrible choice because this is an extremely common last name, this is like Ivanov(a) in my own country, and it’s a bit boring. But I didn’t know what else to choose because I didn’t know the country Maarswik was based on.

But soon I faced another difficulty because I needed to name Frida’s parents and I didn’t know how because I didn’t know the freaking country. It was a moment when I had to take some action and so I asked Craig Gerber what country Maarswik was based on and he said Sint Maarten (yes, I talked to the Man himself and I still feel powerful for it even if I don’t use Twitter anymore)

But honestly his answer didn’t ease my pain because why the heck is King Lars literally one of the whitest character in the show if his kingdom is in the south

For this reason I divided Maarswik in two parts: the Northern Maarswik which would be located somewhere in the EverRealm equivalent of Europe (this is where Frida’s from) and the Southern Maarswik which would be located somewhere close to Avalor. I’m going to use these terms in my fic someday so this is just a warning because I don’t want to confuse anyone.

Anyway, they speak Dutch (and also English but I ignore it) in Sint Maarten, so I choose Dutch names for my Maarswikan characters. Those are Frida’s parents Hendrik and Cornelia Aakster, Frida’s uncle Karel Aakster, Frida’s friend Laurens de Wit, and another friend of Frida whom I haven’t introduced yet but her name is Willemijn Douwes. You should know it was painful as well because why nobody told me that it’s so difficult to find those names online.

Really, I even had to ask a Dutch person for help (and I’m still grateful, thank you again if you’re reading it <3) when I looked for the new surname for Frida and when I sent her the ones I liked she said that not all those surnames were Dutch and not all of them were even surnames and I just WHAT?!?! (read in the most squeaky and annoyed voice possible) why would people even put them in the list of Dutch surnames how can I trust anyone in the Internet 😭

Anyway, after this series of suffering I finally gave Frida a new surname and it’s Aakster. Frida Aakster.

And yes, I know that Frida is not the most common spelling of this name but she IS Frida. Not Freida, not Frieda, not Freda, not Friday, not Friaijdkfkda. I really suffered too much with her name to change anything again, so even if Frida looks weird for whatever reason, THIS is how her name is spelled. Blame her parents, not me (oh my goodness I’m now so tempted to write the whole scene when somebody asks how to spell Frida’s name, she says f r i d a, that person is like what the heck why, and she just shrugs ajhdnfj)

I think I made Frida use some Dutch phrases just once but maybe I’ll do it again. It’s fun and actually makes her sound like a foreigner which is kinda the effect I would like to achieve.

Anyway, to put my answer into several words: the language that inspires Maarswikan phrases is Dutch. One of these phrases is used in the 19th chapter (and I’ll probably replace it with another because I now realize it’s not fitting context wise x))

Another thing I would like to add is that Maarswik in my fic is inspired by the Netherlands, not Sint Maarten. If you remember the chapters A Trip to Maarswik and Gabe’s birthday, I already mentioned some Netherlands things there. Mostly food, but I’m going to add more in the future chapters since Frida is currently in Maarswik so if you see some unfamiliar words, they’re probably those Netherlands things ajhsnfj. And I also use Dutch honorifics such as Meneer and Mevrouw.

Yes, I know my interpretation is contrary to the canon but this is why I divided Maarswik in two parts. I do ruin canon but I ruin it with care.

Thank you for asking! And sorry for dropping so much unnecessary stuff you didn’t ask about ajhsnfk.

[kiloskywalker]

hi kilo! nice ask day ask for you (so very curious about your job I'm so sorry). what's your favourite destination to fly to for work AND what's your favourite non-work travel destination?

Hi @welcometololaland thank you for the nice ass(k)! This is a great question and I have to admit I had to do some thinking about it! But no need to be sorry about your curiosity! I love answering questions about it so whenever the urge strikes you absolutely fire away! I've been to so many places for work and a lot of the cool ones vary whether the layover is good (especially if its like a day or two) or the approach to the airport is super cool or even if the food in the airport terminal is bangin' while I wait. I think my favorite layover is probably either Kahului, Hawaii on the island of Maui or Kona, Hawaii on the island of Hawai'i. Obviously because the weather is so nice and they usually have us on the ground for at least two or three days so I get to go to the beach and relax. Flights to Hawaii are usually hard to get (they usually go to more senior crews) but whenever they come across my schedule I try to bid for those. I think an honorable mention is definitely Chicago O'Hare. Our airline is based in Chicago and we have a massive presence there so I'm flying there quite often. On a nice day, the approach into the airport from over Lake Michigan gives absolutely gorgeous views of downtown Chicago. I've mentioned this in a previous post somewhere, but I am originally from Chicago and grew up there. My family still lives there. But our house was right under the approach path at O'Hare and when I was little, I would always look up at the planes landing and get super excited. Now, I am literally living that dream job that little Kilo always wanted. And there are times when I fly DIRECTLY over where the house I grew up in is and imagine little Kilo getting so excited thinking about that. I'll ask my dad, but sometimes he goes out and tracks my flights and tries to get a picture of me landing or taking off from nearby and share a pic from one of those. Always super cool to see!

There are another couple of really cool honorable mentions I have to say: Mexico City has a really tough approach over the city, San Diego is similarly right in the middle of downtown, New York LaGuardia, Washington DC Reagan National (pro-tip if you're flying into DCA sit on the right side of the plane and you might get a beautiful view of the city and the National Mall when you're landing), Sint Maarten in the Carribbean is cool the approach is right over the beach (I've only been there a couple of times but its always so cool). My favorite non-work destination is so difficult. I think its gotta be either Prague, Czech Republic (I went there with my dad on vacation a few years ago and I fell in LOVE with it, or Alaska (I was there on vacation earlier this summer and it was so beautiful). Although I expect that answer to change relatively quickly. Side note: my airline has new flights this Summer from Newark to the Portuguese Azores islands out in the middle of the Atlantic (approx. 2,600 miles east of New York, and about 1,000 miles west of Portugal). They operate the Boeing 737 MAX on the route (which is one of the types I fly) and its only a summer seasonal route. My goal for next year is to try and crew that flight so I can visit! It looks so pretty and it's very high up on my list to travel!

[hybridmindthoughtsreloaded]

According to the World Bank's 2021 data, 107 countries are currently below Total Fertility Rate. A TFR of 2.1 is required just to maintain population. Did you know there was a depopulation agenda at play?

Albania 1.39 Antigua and Barbuda 1.58 Argentina 1.89 Armenia 1.58 Aruba 1.18 Australia 1.7 Austria 1.48 Azerbaijan 1.52 Bahamas 1.39 Bahrain 1.84 Bangladesh 1.98 Barbados 1.63 Belarus 1.49 Belgium 1.6 Belize 2.01 Bermuda 1.3 Bhutan 1.41 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1.35 Brazil 1.64 British Virgin Islands 1 Brunei Darussalam 1.78 Bulgaria 1.58 Cabo Verde 1.9 Canada 1.43 Channel Islands 1.46 Chile 1.54 China 1.16 Colombia 1.72 Costa Rica 1.53 Croatia 1.62 Cuba 1.44 Curacao 1.38 Cyprus 1.32 Czechia 1.83 Denmark 1.72 Dominica 1.6 Ecuador 2 El Salvador 1.8 Estonia 1.61 Finland 1.46 France 1.83 French Polynesia 1.7 Germany 1.58 Gibraltar 1.89 Greece 1.39 Greenland 1.8 Grenada 2 Hong Kong SAR, China 0.8 Hungary 1.59 Iceland 1.82 India 2.03 Iran 1.69 Ireland 1.72 Isle of Man 1.56 Italy 1.25 Jamaica 1.35 Japan 1.3 Korea, Dem. People's Rep. 1.81 Korea, Rep. 0.81 Kosovo 1.52 Latvia 1.57 Liechtenstein 1.53 Lithuania 1.34 Luxembourg 1.38 Macao SAR, China 1.09 Malaysia 1.8 Maldives 1.7 Malta 1.14 Mauritius 1.41 Mexico 1.82 Moldova 1.81 Montenegro 1.75 Nepal 2.03 Netherlands 1.62 New Caledonia 2.02 New Zealand 1.64 North Macedonia 1.6 Norway 1.55 Poland 1.33 Portugal 1.38 Puerto Rico 0.91 Qatar 1.8 Romania 1.8 Russian Federation 1.5 Serbia 1.48 Singapore 1.12 Sint Maarten (Dutch part) 1.58 Slovak Republic 1.64 Slovenia 1.64 Spain 1.19 Sri Lanka 1.99 St. Kitts and Nevis 1.53 St. Lucia 1.4 St. Vincent and the Grenadines 1.8 Sweden 1.67 Switzerland 1.52 Thailand 1.33 Trinidad and Tobago 1.63 Turkiye 1.89 Turks and Caicos Islands 1.67 Ukraine 1.16 United Arab Emirates 1.46 United Kingdom 1.56 United States 1.66 Uruguay 1.49 Vietnam 1.94 Virgin Islands (U.S.) 2.01