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matkomakto · 4 years

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How was it to be a volunteer in Italy?

In this post I want to describe my experience as an AIESEC volunteer in Bologna (I posted a lot during this period on my Instagram). My project was related to SDG4, or in other words Quality Education. The name of my NGO is EduChange. What I did in practice was teaching English and giving presentations about Poland and Polish culture to Italian children at the age of 9-10 (and once 14, but that’s a different story). I will put a line now, so that if you’re not interested you won’t have to scroll like crazy.

ARRIVAL

I don’t want to describe the whole procedure of applying, it’s very easy and nothing really happens. Before you leave you have two meetings - one in your local AIESEC and the other via Internet with the one you’re going to. My journey starts on January, 17th. In the morning I entered a bus to Kraków, from where I departed at 4pm to Venice, and then to Bologna. Venice welcomed me with rain (I got a little cold because of that, but Gripex saved my life once again) and so did Bologna. The whole journey took 26 hours (yes, I went by bus and you can’t judge me). Somewhere on my way my first host-mum, Mary, messaged me wishing me a good journey and asking if I was safe (and in this sentence you have everything about this woman - always kind and caring <3). A few hours later, my other host-mum, Chiara, who was supposed to take me from the station messaged me too. At the station I was welcomed by Chiara and Matilde, one of my new sisters (in general, now I have 3 sisters and 1 brother). In the car I met Davide, dad, and Carlotta, my other sister (or daughter, as some people would say). After a short conversation, I realised we were in the house of Mary, where I was about to spend next 3 weeks of my life. I was tired af, but it’s understandable, I think. I messaged my buddy, Marie Claire (oh, haven’t told you about her — a buddy is a person from bolognese AIESEC, who takes care of you, a kind of nanny I’d say) and my manager, Sofia. And then I had dinner and went to sleep. I was sleeping from 14.00 till 11.00 on Sunday. I had no idea what would happen next.

FERRARA

I woke up when nobody was at home. It was a bit creepy tbh. On the table I found a note “We’ll be home at 12, eat anything you want” (I didn’t, my stomach was still acting as if I were in the bus). When the whole family, it means — Mary, Andrea, Athina and Achille, came back, they told me “We’re going to Ferrara”. I thought “What is Ferrara?”. It’s a beautiful town near Bologna, where we spent an amazing afternoon. I didn’t know anything about this town, and even if Mary and Andrea tried their best as guides, I spent a whole evening using Google Maps to identify objects I had seen. Among them were the Cathedral, Palazzo Muncipale, Castello Estense, Palazzo dei Diamanti and Via delle Volte. I ate a delicious cake, which name I don’t remember, filled with Nutella. Achille kept complaining “Maddalena’s cake is the best!” (they all ok, almost all called me Maddalena, which is Italian version of Magdalena). In the evening we played all three in the living room and I was texted by Serena, an English teacher from one schools I was going to teach in, also one of my best bolognese friends. With her message I became both excited and anxious about the next day.

FIRST DAY(S)

All the anxiety disappeared when I entered the first school. The children were so lovely and cheerful that I fell in love with them (in a good meaning ofc) instantly. On the first lesson I was just sitting and doing nothing. Then, Serena came, and I was helping her to answer children’s questions during a final test. Believe me, there were hundreds of them. I came home tired, but happy. And finally I became hungry and ate everything I was offered (I always have a problem with eating far from home). The next day meant another school. It was less pleasant as a building, as Mary described it - it looked more like a hospital. Nevertheless, both the teachers and the students again were pure love. In the canteen I sat with 5 boys, who were supposed to make an interview with me. I felt as if I had been watching Familiada live. Then, one of the teachers came to our table hugging one boy saying “Ask him as often as you can. He’s my son”. Lovely, isn’t it? XD In the next class two girls came to me, giving me a drawing (I have it still in my diary). When I asked in Italian if it was for me, I heard a loud, full of shock “LEI CAPISCEEEEEEEEE”. One of the funniest things during these first days is that nobody knew I spoke Italian, and seeing their faces as they discovered it was a very entertaining activity. Wednesday was my day out, I’ll describe it later. On Thursday and on Friday I went to the third school. I ended up in Athina’s class and believe me, it’s really hard to be in one class with your sibling. Fun fact, both English teachers in that school are Rosannas, which confused me a bit these days.

DISCOVERING BOLOGNA

Finally, on my free Wednesday I got an opportunity to go to the centre. I remember my heartbeat when the bus no.13 entered the centre, it was fulfilling of a dream I made as a 13-year-old girl. I walked through Via d’Azeglio and found myself in Piazza Maggiore. Do you remember that scene from Home Alone, where Kevin realises he’s home alone and walks along screaming as crazy? It was me at the moment (but I screamed internally, don’t be scared). I entered Basilica (which I loved and I came back there several times, even twice on the same day). When I went out, I met Marie Claire. She was my guide that day, we had a great time as she showed me Bologna and its 6 secrets (google it). Later I was supposed to go on an AIESEC meeting (there were 2 meetings and Global Village). I continued my trip around city centre from Saturday till Monday, even if the weather wasn’t as great as on Wednesday. Also, on Saturday we spent a few hours “occupando Italia in un Irish pub” with other volunteers. On that day I discovered KIKO Milano, which is now my #1 makeup brand, I’m addicted to it, sorry if I’m a disappointment.

WEEK #2

I was about to write “Nothing interesting really happened”. But damn, I survived a power shortcut in one of the schools, I ate a true Italian pizza and gelato for the first time, I prepared 120 minutes of lesson in 5 minutes because the teacher was absent, I got engaged into “International Mother Tongue Day” organised by one of my schools, I bought a pair of beautiful shoes, I started to enjoy my new social life (volunteers, ily’all and miss y’all <3) and I managed to organise my first trip completely on my own. If that’s nothing then I don’t know what it is. Oh yes, my famous trips, or as I heard from some people “you have too much money”. Let’s remember the first one.

ROME

No matter how hard I try to overcome it, the very first thing I remember about Rome is the pain in my feet. If you’re ever in Rome, please children, don’t go there in brand-new shoes and try not to walk 21,5 km in a single day. As a true Polish, I will start with complaining. I waited 1,5h for a bus and it didn’t have a machine to buy tickets, as they have in Bologna (Bologna-Rome 1:0). On Saturday, despite not the best weather, I made a beautiful trip from Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore, through Colloseum, Forum Romanum, Altare della Patria, Palazzo Colonna, Fontanna di Trevi, Piazza Navona, Castel Sant’Angelo to the Vatican City and its museum (I have an illegal photo from Sistine Chapel, but shh). My friends volunteers, who also were in Rome, wanted me to go with them to Trastevere, but believe me, I was dying. The next day I did the check out before 8am and I enjoyed empty Rome on Sunday morning, it was amazing. I visited Trinità dei Monti. It was almost empty, @turbinis told me I was very lucky, so I will make you see how my luck looks like:

INDEED.IT.WAS.EMPTY.AND.ONE.HOUR.LATER.I.CAME.BACK.THERE.AND.IT.WAS.FULL.OF.PEOPLE.

WEEK #3

In one class there was a Polish boy. Whenever I saw him, he was yelling “CZEEEŚĆ” and whenever I told something about Poland all the children looked at him in the way “Do you confirm what she’s saying?” This week also brought me two great memories with my bro, Achille. He was sick and out of school and this week he was supposed to be back. He was a bit depressed and thought he would have to study all night. Oh, I forgot about the deep existential question he asked me two weeks before: “Have you ever loved someone on this Earth?”. Deep, you must admit. Another time, he was watching cartoons. When his cartoon ended, they started a cartoon for younger kids. He got offended, switched off the tv and took off the battery from the remote control, because “he won’t watch things for babies”. I remember that one day I became extremely hungry and the next day I went to Café Zamboni (coming back from Pinacoteca, which was amazing btw) and ate so much, that I could barely walk XD. I started realising that I want to go to Erasmus here. It was also a week of Sanremo, I remember with laugh how Athina tried to show her dad the performance of Achille Lauro and poor babbo was running away from her and her phone (I was team Gabbani, although now, when I’m writing this, I hear a loud “FAAAAAI RUMOOORE QUIIIII”). On Friday I got compliments from Rosanna and Rosanna for being a good teacher. They really liked how I had substituted Rosanna#1 the week before. Having my wings grown, I started my next trip, using Frecciarossa for the first time.

NAPLES

Although you may not believe it, it was the first time I had seen the sea. Moreover, I saw it for the first time in the same place as did Elena Greco in “L’amica geniale”, but I realised it a few weeks later. Getting out of the hostel, I went down Via Toledo, Galleria Umberto I, Castel Nuovo to Piazza del Plebiscito. I swear, I will fight anyone who says that Naples is dirty/ugly/both. Also, everyone was telling me about thieves, but somehow I didn’t get stolen. After I finished a gelato on Piazza, I went to the sea. It was one of the most beautiful feelings I’ve ever experienced. I thought “Screw all the sightseeing, you will do it tomorrow. Enjoy the sea today”, and so I did. I followed Lungomare all the time, passing along Castel dell’Ovo to the Mappatella beach. As it was the first time I saw the sea, the beach was also a whole new experience. Kids, never ever go to the beach in winter shoes, did you know? Because I didn’t. Probably I would watch a sunset there, but I got a bit scared with all those theft-stories and I was in the hostel before it got dark (I watched the sunset on Piazza del Plebiscito though). On Sunday I went from Santa Maria del Carmine, via Via San Biagio dei Librai and Via dei Tribunali to the Cathedral, Piazza Nazionale and train station. I arrived in Bologna at 11pm tired, but happy.

WEEK #4

In the middle of my stay, I moved to my second host family. At the beginning it was a bit weird (just like every time you change your life 180°). Everything changed the next evening, when I stayed home alone with my sisters and their nanny. We had a great time playing games and joking. Although I’m still ashamed that I lose in Mario, which was the game of MY childhood :C. That week another AIESEC meeting took place. Even two meetings, because on February, 14th there was a Global Village. It was a great event, even if I couldn’t enjoy it till the end, because the next day I had to wake up early. For the train. Btw, it was a Valentine’s Day, wasn’t it? I received some sweet cards from my students and it made my heart melt. After school we met with Marie Claire, who showed me something that now I miss a lot - tigelle.

FLORENCE

I woke up with a strong “oh shit” feeling. But as I realised I’m going to Florence, I got up and got ready in 20 minutes. Everyone was still sleeping, though I woke up Chiara when I tried to open the door. It was a cursed day for trains, I think. The train to Florence had too few wagons (I was assigned #9, but there were only 7, though they let me in) and the train from Florence was 40min delayed (I got into precisely on time I should get off in Bologna). I spent a wonderful day, mostly contemplating Il Duomo. Seriously, I took 42 photos of it, which makes almost a half of all photos taken in Florence. I can’t resist to put here at least one:

When I arrived to Ponte Vecchio, I saw a beautiful exhibition of jewelry. Really, it was so beautiful, that I couldn’t stop watching it. I even took a photo of it. As I started to continue my trip I said to myself “Magdalena, you will regret it till the end of your life!” So I came back and bought one bracelet. For 130€. Do I regret it? No. Would I regret if I hadn’t bought it? Yes. I will even show it to you.

One of the most important highlights is the visit to Capelle Medicee - if you ever go to Florence, go there, it costs only 2€ if you’re below 25 (or 26 idk). I enjoyed an amazing view from Giardini Boboli, saw another Neptun Fountain (like, Italians, aren’t you done with them yet???) and took a rest in front of Santa Croce. As a nice finish, I watched the sunset by the Cathedral.

WEEK #5

That Sunday (yes, now I start with Sunday, why not) Chiara woke me up early in the morning and we went to Matilde’s training (she plays rugby and btw Athina plays tennis and Carlotta does skating, I’m really proud of them). After the match (Matilde’s team won ofc) we went to Chiara’s parents. Oh my, I had never thought that people who had never seen me before would treat me as if I were their granddaughter, because that’s what I felt. I don’t remember if I ever had such a dinner, in such an atmosphere. I miss nonna’s tortellini, no one will ever prepare me better ones. In the evening, we played Dixit (a bit of Katowice flashback), the best game ever and don’t even try to say something different. Monday and Tuesday were the days of saying goodbye, since next week these days were supposed to be free. On Wednesday I spent a nice afternoon/evening with Heloísa, my Brasilian friend. We both didn’t know then that we will miss going out so much. On Thursday and on Friday I was a bit sick, I don’t know whether it was just a cold, a beginning of flu or covid-19, which everyone believes me to have had. Nevermind, on Saturday I was completely well.

SAN LUCA

San Luca is a sanctuary located on a hill near Bologna. You can go there on foot, through 666 “portici”. So did I with my host-mom Chiara and Carlotta. It was a beautiful, sunny day. I remember Carlotta running fast up the stairs and being tired when we went down. My sister has a big, pure heart. She gave her chocolate to a homeless man. Also, on that day she became my daughter. At least for the woman in the souvenir shop. (If you ask about Matilde, she was on a soccer game with her dad)

WEEK #6 HOW IT ALL COLLAPSED

Here, I should describe my last week in Italy. But I won’t.

It all started on Sunday morning. I had bought train tickets to Venice and Rimini a few days before. Chiara said “Do you know, there are more and more cases of coronavirus in Venice, in the evening there will be an official communicate. Consider not going there tomorrow”. All I said was “Okay.”. But really, I had no fear of this virus, I even thought I would take advantage of it, because panic means it will be less crowded, no? In the afternoon I went to the centre. In Piazza Maggiore, Via dell’Indipendenza and near the Two Towers people were celebrating the end of the carnival. As I don’t like crowded spaces, I went for a walk near Via San Vitale and Strada Maggiore. As the sun started to set, I decided to go back home. I received a message from AIESEC members that all schools in Emilia Romagna are closed. “A whole free week, cool” I thought. But as the new messages appeared I realised, that there would be no Venice tomorrow. They wrote “Please, don’t travel”. But then it was not my problem. I wanted to get into a bus, but somehow all the bus stops were empty. I had to go back on foot. Have I mentioned that I lived about 5 km from the centre? So, it was a long walk. As I walked, I tried to think what I would do for a whole week as probably the girls will go to grandparents’ and Chiara and Davide have their works. With Chiara we made a decision, I have to go back to Poland. We contacted a few members, about an hour later I had new bus tickets on my phone. We went to a supermarket, it was as if a war was coming. 5 minutes before closing the shop was full of people. And empty on shelves a few minutes later. At 10pm we drove to grandparents to leave the girls there. It was one of the hardest farewells in my life. You can ask why, they are not even your family. Maybe because I remember Carlotta’s words, when they both occupied the whole sofa and I asked “Oh, there’s no longer place for me, is there?” she answered “There will always be a place for you here”. Maybe because I remember Matilde’s head on my shoulder when we were on the way. Maybe because I remember how grandma treated me as her real granddaughter giving me some food and her confitures to Poland. Maybe because all these people showed me more familiar love and affection in these 5 weeks than I received from my real family. Maybe because they still text me asking how I’m doing. Maybe.

I stayed awake till 3am, making my suitcase and handbags. On Monday I went to school, which was closed, to make a closing meeting and to say goodbye to my first host-family. I went for a last coffee and pizza to my favourite restaurant nearby and came back home. I watched tv all the afternoon and had a farewell-pizza as a supper (2 pizzas in a day, very healthy, Magdalena). On Tuesday at 6am I was in a bus heading to Prague and then to Kraków. Instead of watching the sea in Rimini, I was watching some fields somewhere between Kraków and my town.

To make a happy end, it was the time of my life, I’d write something better here but it’s almost 1:30am when I write this, so sorry :C

#it's 1.30 i don't care about tags

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arcadia75 · 5 years

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My 2018 Favorite Voyager Fics

I titled it favorite Voyager fics, but let’s be honest. Most of what is here is J/C, because that’s what I’m into. :) Maybe I’ll try to branch out in 2019. Some months it was really hard to narrow it down to just one, but challenged myself to do it. And while these are only a small sampling of all the fic posted in 2018, I truly appreciate all the authors that keep this fandom one of the most engaging and fun I’ve ever been a part of.

January - Piece by Piece by @killermanatee. As much as I love The Eternal Tide, there is way too much missing of the behind closed doors parts of Janeway and Chakotay’s reunion. I love how this fic fills in the blanks in a super sexy way.

February - Home by @muldyfi. A lovely little Endgame fixer spawned by a late night conversation and a photo manip in the Voyager Book Club.

March - Severed Hearts by @devoverest. So much goodness in March, it was definitely hard to narrow this month down. Architects of Infinity came out, which spawned a few follow-ups to a certain scene. But I’m going with a heart wrenching Chakotay & B’Elanna story for my favorite this month. Great character study here.

April - I Stand Relieved by @jhelenoftrek. Helen knows how to weave a story and keep the reader guessing, and that is in play full force in this mysterious tale. Loved how all the clues unfolded, and that the story involved the whole crew.

May - Second Mesa by @emmadelosnardos. I do not usually go for AU Voyager stories, but this one really just sucked me in and made me fall in love with it. So well written, tackles some difficult issues and of course some J/C hotness.

June - If by @lodessa. A hot little what-if ficlet between our favorite couple.

July - The Broad and Ample Road by @littleobsessions90. A follow up to an issue hinted at in the Relaunch novels that I thought Beyer would have tackled in A of I. This one reverberates personally with me because of my own conflicted thoughts around motherhood.

August - Desperate Measures by @mia-cooper. Ok, this is hands down my favorite fic of this year. It’s a WIP, and just proves that fans can write a more intriguing, well researched, compelling, sexy, story for the Voyager crew than the shows actual writers. Set post-Endgame, this story as a little bit of everything, romance, intrigue, deception, politics, action...you name it.

September - Venice by @killermanatee.Proving the research that fanfic can be used to explore sexual fantasies. :) J/C, sex club, Venice. ‘Nuff said.

October - Louder Than Words by @Amalgam000. So many choice here with Fictober that happened this month. For my favorite, I went with another post-Endgame epic that explores politics and the Federation legal system. Not book canon compliant, but still a great read!

November - Most Satisfying by @devoverest. The Proxima Station fic I never knew I was missing. Part of a larger series, but this story can stand on it’s own and completely lives up to it’s title for being satisfying for J/C and the reader.

December - Sunday Child by @blackvelvet. A fic exploring love, loss and what it does to relationships. December was another hard choice as there were a lot of great stories from @25daysofvoyager.

#year in review #fanfic2018 #janeway/chakotay #star trek voyager

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amaranthkick · 7 years

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Your Smile

Lance and Shiro has to act like they're together to help gain an alliance. Shiro thinks he has to deal with a few days of Lance’s flirting. Boy, is he in for a big surprise.

Allura had called them up to the control room to debrief them on their latest mission. The main screens showed a green planet with cyan blue waters.

Allura started, “This is Utrillon, it's people are fairly peaceful and it's planet is rich in valuable resources such as clean water, a wide variety of fruits and vegetation, and an abundance of wild game to hunt. It is freely given to those who are in alliance with them.”

She listed other stuff that was important for the castle but the humans could only focus on potential food that wasn't the paladin lunch or food goo and especially the prospect of fresh meat.

The princess cleared her throat to regain their attention. “There is one catch though. To really appeal to them we must be “genuine.” Their definition is more akin to the show of loving devotion to another. So we have to send two people who act like they are together to get the alliance.”

“Lance, you are one of the two.” She nodded as he gave a confused look pointing at himself. “Your flirtatious side could be perceived as signs of being in love. Just make sure you stick to the other person.”

Lance gave a lopsided smile and shrugged, “Alright princess so who's coming with me? Is it you-”

“Shiro will accompany you.” Allura interrupted quick and to the point much to everyone's shock. She coughed trying to validate her choice. “He is the black paladin after all. It would be largely appealing for the leader of Voltron to appear devoted to another.”

Allura will never reveal that the mice had told her of a certain blue paladin’s crush on the black paladin. And that this planet was the perfect opportunity to play matchmaker.

“M-me and Shiro?” Lance muttered his face heating up.

Shiro sighed accepting the mission but he can't deny the light dusting on his cheeks.

Lance and Shiro were walking slowly to the dressing room. Coran said he would prepare the tradition Altean diplomatic garb for them to wear. They walked in an overbearing silence, Lance was deep in thought distracted by something. Shiro sighed they had to discuss the information regarding their “relationship” such as how they would spend their dates, how they met, and whatnot.

“Lance?” Shiro said startling him.

“Uh, yeah?”

“So what kind of story should we stick with about how we first met. Although you helping to save me when I was held up by the Garrison is a good start.” Shiro nodded to himself, it was a good start to a budding romance as any.

He was confused when Lance looked saddened for a second. A pit formed in his stomach as a thought hit him. “Lance? Did we meet before that?”

Lance flailed and stammered trying to reassure him, “Yes, I mean no. I mean maybe…? I just- it's ok if you don't remember it was just an everyday thing and you would probably do the same for any cadet who was having trouble with their studies. I don't hold it against you for not remembering honest.”

Shiro shook his head, he had to know now. They had stopped walking. He was curious and a tad guilty for not remembering. “Tell me? Please?” He asked in a quiet voice.

“Uhh, well I was in the library struggling on a subject and then you offered a moment of your time to help me. You encouraged me to keep trying and have confidence in myself. You were probably just being nice. But that - it meant so much to me. That's one of the reasons you're my hero.” Lance quickly ducked his head bashfully.

“H-hero?” Shiro was just as red as Lance.

“Yeah, then I got to meet you and know you a little better. And not to mention we're paladins now so you really are a hero.” Lance said avoiding his eyes.

Shiro couldn't get his brain to think of something to say or get his voice to work. He felt like he was going to combust.

Just then Coran popped out of nowhere startling the both of them. “There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you two.”

“Oh well uh, guess our wardrobes are done. That's good, lead the way Coran!” Lance all but pushed Coran forward with him eager to change subjects.

Shiro watched them stumble ahead then willed his own feet to robotically follow them. He was too busy trying to calm the pounding in his chest brought forth from Lance’s heartfelt words

He was almost thankful that he would probably just have to deal with Lance's flirting on the mission. He didn't think he could handle more of his soft, tender words without becoming a flustered mess.

The village on the planet looked wondrous to Lance. It looked like the town was built on top of a river. The water and stones working together. It reminded him of the beauty of Venice even if he's never been there just seen pictures from friends who live there. Even the people looked angelic, literally. They had four small but bright colorful wings on their backs.

Shiro was looking fondly at Lance who was taking in the village like an awestruck child. He took note to ask Allura if they could take some time to just sight see after the alliance was made.

He noticed someone approaching them. His wings were bigger than everyone else's. People showed respect to him as he passed by folding a wing and arm in front of them and bowing a little. There was no doubt about it, this must be the king.

The paladins mimicked the bows the other villagers did and the king smiled, “Paladins of Voltron, I presume?”

The king invited them to stay at the palace while they prepare for a celebration.

Shiro let out delightful chuckles as Lance was once again exploring with childlike wonder. He held his hand in an effort to keep him from wandering off. It seems Lance hasn't noticed yet.

Two different staff members who finished setting up decorations went up to them excited to talk with the famed paladins of Voltron. They got roped into separate conversations. The staff members already assuming they were together.

Luckily Shiro was asked how they had first met. Of course he would use the story Lance had told him earlier. He might have embellished it a little to make up for still not having solid memories of the event. His conversation ended pretty quick as he waved goodbye as she left.

That left Shiro waiting for Lance to finish up. He was tantalizingly within earshot to clearly make out what they're saying. He quietly berated himself that he shouldn't be eavesdropping and yet he couldn't help but be curious at what Lance will say.

“What attracts you to black paladin Shiro, blue paladin Lance?”

Ahh Lance would probably play up his leadership qualities as the black paladin or even from his garrison days. At least that's what everyone has commented about him.

“Oh just ‘Lance’ is fine. Well, um sure he's the strong and tough leader of the paladins but… did you know that when he lets go just a little bit he has this warm smile that's like seeing the sun for the first time after many cloudy days. It's breathtaking and even if it might be something people take for granted, to me it gets more and more beautiful every time I see it.”

Shiro's eyes widened, he couldn't believe what graced his ears. Lance was so soft spoken like he meant every word and it made his heart race.

He was so distracted that he didn't hear Lance finishing his conversation. “Hello, Earth to Shiro? You ok?” Lance looked concerned.

“I- yeah, yeah I'm fine. Let's uh, ask where we’ll spend the night.”

“Oh don't worry about it Shiro, I'll ask. You seem tired, just wait right here.” And Lance sped off to the nearest Utrillian he can find.

Left alone with his thoughts again he wondered just where did that come from? Surely Lance was just waxing poetics on the fly, maybe something he would say to someone he was truly interested in. Not him. He tried to ignore how much that thought hurts.

(Part 2)

#shance #fake dating au #writings #i try #;3 #i think im getting the hang of cliffhangers #pining lance #pining and easily flustered shiro #lance is sort of oblivious #he just doesnt know how much his words is affecting the poor guy #(soon to be) pining mess and easily flustered shiro*

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michaelanimation · 5 years

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Dad's camping stories research

We had a St Martin's youth club camping trip to the New Forest. About 12 of us in several tents. It started raining soon before we got there - quite heavily... We got absolutely drenched putting the tents up while everyone else in the campsite seemed to be packing up and leaving... We went to a pub to eat and dry out - when we got back the campsite was literally a lake. My tent was the only proper mountain tent with a built in groundsheet so it was floating and the water hadn't got in. All the other tents were flooded. At one point there were probably 10 of us in my 3-man tent... In the end we managed to persuade one of the others relatives who lived not far away to put us up for the night - we turned up at about midnight and took over their house. Once we dried out the holiday was OK.

However, particularly at that site there were loads of wild animals - hedgehogs, deer, etc - that kept visiting in the night - always rustling and nestling against the tents and really scaring some of those inside (not me...)

When I was in the Pyrenees in Spain with the school expedition society, we camped a couple of nights in the middle of nowhere in a lovely place up the mountains. No facilities of course, except for a mountain stream which we all washed in. A couple of others decided to have a 'bath' and lay in the stream for ages - when they got out they were covered in leeches!

As we were backpacking we had to carry everything with us including food - usually dried food is good as it lasts longer and it light. However, a couple of the others were carrying lentils and none of us had had them before. We only found out when we came to use them the evening before packing up and moving on that lentils need to soak for 24 hours before cooking. So not only did we go hungry that evening but those people had to carry the huge containers of lentils and water all the next day - really heavy - they spent the whole day sweating and were absolutely knackered when we stopped...

Another one from that same trip, at another camp in the middle of nowhere with no facilities. The teacher who was leading the trip went wandering off by himself, as we all had to from time to time, toilet roll in hand, to find a big rock to sit behind... When he reappeared, he was limping badly and had blood all down his leg - he said he'd been attacked and bitten by a rabid dog, foaming at the mouth! He needed an injection quickly to treat the possible rabies so a few of us trecked an hour or so to the nearest proper campsite. We were still about 10 miles from the nearest village with a pharmacy so we needed to ask someone to drive him there urgently. I was the only one who had any Spanish knowledge at all (even though I'd failed my o level) so I studied my dictionary and came up with what to ask and really worried about whether people would understand me or whether we would understand them. We found some people and I explained out situation and asked my question - the man looked really confused - not sure he'd understood anything.... Turned out he was British!

The following year three of us were mountaineering in the Alps. We decided to camp on a glacier at about 11500 feet for a couple of nights in my tent. Found a good place on a stable part of glacier, pitched the tent and had a great night. Left the tent for the day and prepared for a second night. But the wind started to pick up. We got a bit worried so used our ice axes in the ice to hold the main guide ropes and packed lots of snow around the tent to protect it. Even so, the wind got stronger and stronger and by about 2-3 am we were regularly being lifted off the ground and moved around in our sleeping bags in the tent. Really scary. By the time it got light, the wind started easing off so we ventured outside. We lost loads of stuff - most of the stuff (cooking things, food, clothes, etc.) that we'd left between the tent inner and outer - it had all blown away. The scariest part was that the whole tent was only attached by one ice axe to the glacier - another had pierced the tent. If that ice axe had failed we probably wouldn't have survived...

Later the same holiday after leaving the Alps, we visited Venice and found a relatively cheap campsite just outside the City. It looked lovely as it was basically in the huge courtyard of an ancient buildings and entirely covered by a roof of grapevines. Overnight we found out why it was cheap - as it was surrounded by buildings there was no breeze - it must have been one of the hottest and stuffiest nights ever. And also the grapevines were absolutely stuffed with crickets - which made such a racket all night long that no one got any sleep at all.

Then there was the time I let grandpa's air bed down - very slowly so he didn't notice until he was basically on the grass... Actually I did that to lots of people - until they started doing it back to me....

#film

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thelogessai · 7 years

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San Diego, January 2017.

Hi everyone,

I’ve been away from the blog-sphere for a long while I know but I am hoping (making a goal) for the new year to share more of my thoughts, experiences, and (life)style tips :)

To say the least, I’ve traveled to a few places last year (Rome, Florence, Pisa, Verona, Venice, San Bonifacio, San Gimignano, Viareggio, Borghetto, (seems like there is a slight obsession with Italy :p), Paris, Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Mont St Michel, Copenhagen, London, Cabo, Valencia, Alicante, San Francisco twice and West Coast road tripping through beautiful Del Sur and Sonoma Valley, Toulouse, Collioure, Barcelona, The Hague, Orleans and Loiret, Den Bosch, Milan, Cologne) and made many friends and many memories of great times between laughter and tears. This year on the same end year trip, I went to Prague on a road trip and Baden Baden, which I cannot wait to share my shocking and profound experience with you all.

I fell in love with a cute and dorky dutch guy. We had our ups and downs but I am hopeful for the better. I’ve also loved and lost my dear little sister in July. I know she lives on in my heart forever. I have pursued my dream career as a controls engineer and have acquired a new position last august. I took night classes to learn Italian last summer. I am still pursuing my masters in engineering but also continued taking entrepreneurship courses. I’ve networked quite a bit as well. I kept up with my self development goals. Among many training and seminars, I’ve taken communication courses, and learned how to deal with difficult people. I also took an industrial course in Eindhoven (The Netherlands) on Metrology calibration of mechatronics systems last november. Always keep on learning something new ;) Among many things, I learned to always keep things light and playful while working hard on my goals and keep loving people that matter to me. Life must be a fun journey after all!

Style-wise, hmmm… huh I think this blog was originally intended to be a sort of style focus but not so much any longer. I am honestly running out of new or fun inputs (even perspectives) to the style blog-sphere world. Being utterly busy with working, studying, travelling, working on new goals, etc. it really left me little time and energy or desire to think or write about this topic. Evidently, I feel a sense of contentment after building for about 5 years now a so called minimalist ‘dream’ wardrobe or french or capsule, or whatever cool words fancy you to describe the basic bare minimum closet a modern stylish woman ought to own. Instead, I have grown to focus on developing a sense of ‘me’. More to develop on this subject, then fine. In that case, I will write a few words on style topic at a later time ;)

Wising you all a happy new year (it’s still January so it’s ok to make this wish) and looking forward to drop by more often.

Photo Credit: Damier Fournier

#personal

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annieinamerica · 7 years

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WHERE HAVE I BEEN AND WHY HAVENT I BEEN BLOGGING???

I want to start off by making it clear that when I started this blog I 100% was thinking I would be writing weekly and really sticking to it! I promise!!!!!!

But after a few very busy and eventful weeks I really thought that I might have to quit- that I was too far behind to keep it going. BUT I am never one to quit something once I’ve started (maybe that’s a lie) and have decided to push through with this blog regardless!

It’s gonna be a long one, but luckily for you, reader, things have been pretty interesting lately and I have a few great updates to tell you about! So grab a snack and settle in…

1. THE FAM CAME TO VISIT!!!!!!

I’ve been wanting to write about this week since it happened, but somehow thinking about it makes me both happy and sad because it was one of the greatest weeks ever. Dad, Susie and Hugs preeeetty last minute decided that they were going to come visit me for a week at the end of June. I had the weekend booked off work and a few plans in store, but NOTHING could prepare me for seeing Hugs and how much he’d grown! Like a huge spidery beanstalk with SHOULDERS!! Like he’s grown into the giant he was always meant to be! Dad and Suze on the other hand looked pretty much the same, but I can’t even TELL you how good it was to see them. It literally warmed my soul. We had an awesome week of sightseeing, shopping, hiking, exploring and eating great food, and watching great movies. Highlights included visiting the pier in Santa Monica (my favourite place in LA), laying on the beach in Venice, hiking Griffith and losing Moz for about half an hour, funny ubery doobery rides, coffee in the arvo at Republic of Pie and Susie sleeping over every night and wasting no time in reminding me just how annoying she can be. (jks love ya snooze).

Overall it was a really great week, I’m very grateful for Dad for all the amazing food I ate and my new sneakers- dad, suze and I now all have matching adidias (Hugs opted for the Jordans because his feet are about a size 300 lol).

I came out of this week feeling very refreshed, motivated and excited. After they left I almost immediately got strep throat and had to take another week of dancing. (STREPISODE 6).

2. FAMILY ROADTRIP WITH MY AMERICAN FAM!!!!!

So after the fam leaves, I’m feeling a bit sorry for myself, when I get a call from my American sis/BFFFFFFFFF Cierra. We catch up a bit about life- she’s dancing in Portland having just graduated college and mentions a family trip coming up, and loosely comments how she would love to bring me to a) catch up an b) escape being a third wheel. We look at each other through the phone screen and think WHY THE HELL NOT? And so I find myself a week later on a plane to Portland, Oregon to join the Chambo fam for a roadtrip up the north west of the US AND CANADA!!

I Jump of the plane to be whisked into a car, and driven up to the small Mariner town of Astoria (on the border of Oregon and Washington), and so begins the road trip! We spend each day for a week exploring a new place before driving 3-5 hrs to the next one!

From Astoria it was across through Washington up to Port Angeles, where we DROVE ONTO a ferry that took us across to Victoria on Vancouver Island! A beautiful little town that was probably my favourite of all the locations. From there we drove up to Vancouver, where we spent and day riding bikes (I SURVIVED) and eating excellent food, and then it was up to Whistler for the night. The next day we did a 4 hr hike at the beautiful Joffre lakes in Pemberton, which was probably the highlight of the trip for me. The hike was very steep, and about 60-90 minutes between each lake, but being a hiking lover I lead the way! Despite it raining all morning and us being drowned RATS in a forest, the lakes were absolutely STUNNING and one of the MOST beautiful things I have ever seen. All my childhood visions of ‘SWAN LAKE’ were coming to life at these lakes!

After this is was a 6 hr drive down to Seattle, which was very cute by the ocean with a cool skyline, great coffee and cute markets. I had such a great time with the Chambos! Cierra really is the greatest friend but her family made me feel completely at home and part of the crew! Huge thanks to Scott and Donna for everything, I’m super grateful and excited to have seen more of the WORLD!!

3. AN EXCELLENT WEEK OF DANCING AND SOME VERY INSPIRING FRIENDS.

Upon my return to LA I got straight back into the grind, and BOY was I ready! It had been a long 3 week break- 1 week with the fam, 1 week with the strep, and 1 week with the Chambos. I hit the ground running and had one of the best weeks of dancing so far. I remember when I studied ballet, for a long time I didn’t know what the hell I was doing. Like you do the steps and the choreography, but then one day it all just CLICKS into place. Like suddenly your body really gets and understands the pathways you’re making and you sort of LEVEL UP. That’s what happened to me this week with the commercial stuff. It was like every class I took just felt awesome and easier and like suddenly I didn’t feel like this tryhard ballerina white girl, and suddenly I felt like everything was working how it was supposed to… and maybe I actually had… SWAG???

At the same time this was happening, literally all of my friends booked work. Carsyn (my LA bestie and life support) has been on dance team all her life in college and her absolute dream in life it to dance for an NBA or NFL team. For anyone who doesn’t know, Danceteam is a huge thing over here (google it) basically a team of dancers who dance/support their sporting team- however its quite a bit more than regular cheerleading and takes some bloody good dancers to do it. Whilst I was away in Vancouver, my friends auditioned for the LA Clippers team, possibly one of the most sought after teams in the US because of the hip hop style and cool choreography they do. (these girls aren’t skipping around and lookin pretty, theyre DANCING FULL OUT). Incredibly, Carsyn and another great friend Holly, MADE THE TEAM!!! OUT OF 350 PEOPLE!!!!! My first thought was OMG I SHOULD HAVE AUDITIONED WHAT HAVE I DONE… but after a second I was like, no this is perfect, obviously something else is in store for me.

BUT GET THIS!!!

The same week that they got their contract, Holly’s roommate (and another great friend of mine) Kelly got a phone call offering her a cruise ship contract. Shes been waiting for this for SO long as its her dream too, and now its happening!!

I thought to myself, ok I have to ride this wave!! Its my turn next! And immediately started looking for auditions.

The closest one was for some random show in Vegas… and there I reconnected with my fellow Aussie friend Estelle who I always seem to run into at auditions. We both got cut pretty early (turns out they were looking for tiny ballerinas) and went to get lunch and catch up. 1 week later.. and Estelle has just been booked for a China tour with an artist from over here!

I am now CERTAIN that my turn is coming next and I have a few auditions coming up so we’ll wait and see!!!

4. PHOTOSHOOTS, BLONDE AND MORE PHOTOSHOOTS

I’m lucky to be surrounded by talented people here, obviously every one of my friends in noho is a talented dancer, but even at Victoria’s Secret almost all of my coworkers have a separate passion on the side. Theres a comedian, music producer, dj, photographer, makeup artist, hair stylist, fashion designer and so on. One of my coworkers Gena, a twenty-something bra specialist, who actually the ability to tell anyones bra size just by looking at them, is also a specialist portrait-photographer. She charges thousands of dollars to shoot people and make them into the most glamorous versions of themselves, and she asked if I would shoot for her. She wanted to make a promo video for her business, using me in exchange for a free shoot. Of course I said yes!! Photos are to come- but I have posted my new headshot from that shoot!!

A few weeks later, I went blonde. HAHA!

Carsyn works at an amazing salon in Beverly Hills and I was lucky enough to be a model and have my hair done for FREE by their amazing lead stylist Sayaka. She wanted to do blonde so I said why not and so far I love it!

I’ll go back to brown eventually but for now I’m loving it- out here I look ‘more Aussie than ever’. It’s pretty important to have an established ‘look’ out here. For Carsyn it’s the white blonde bob, Kristyn has long black hair, Kelly has the bangs… And with all the black girls and Latinas out here my light brown hair didn’t really cut it. So now I’m like a beachy/summery blonde and I think that this could really help in my auditions… AAAND I had another shoot with Gena to get some updated headshots.

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poeticresistance-blog · 7 years

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The Strangers of Italy

FRANCESCO

Francesco is a physiotherapist from Milan. I’m not entirely sure if his name is Francesco, but I think that’s what he said. I was having a beer in the botanic garden at Pinacoteca di Brera and he parked his bike and asked if he could join me. I got to practice Italian for a good half-hour. He gave me advice on what to visit and was very interested in the camera I was carrying. It was so hot that after a while we refreshed our feet and legs on the sprinklers nearby. I told him that his way of talking felt a lot like running water, almost like a waterfall. As I walked away, I looked over my shoulder and asked if I could get a picture of him and he replied “Yes, but with the water!”

GIULIA Near Parco Sempione I was stopped on the street by a girl who was volunteering for Greenpeace. She asked me if I would be willing to donate to the cause and subscribe to a monthly membership. I didn’t have a credit card or a working phone, and she looked at me like I had told a big lie. I felt slightly irritated and asked what difference it would have made anyway, because it’s very difficult to change policies and make pressure on governments. She was a bit offended and lectured me on what Greenpeace had been able to affect. She asked me if I was testing her and I think I blushed. The other volunteer, who had been listening to our conversation, said “she is testing you, but with love”. We had a long discussion on activism and ways to make effective and peaceful revolutions as we sat together on the sidewalk and shared a bag of grapes.

SILVIA I was waiting at the station in Milano Centrale for the train to Lago di Como, and on the table next to mine sat an interesting girl in her 20s. I asked if she was able to access the wifi because my phone wasn’t working, and she lent me hers to send a message. Her name is Silvia, she is from the south of Italy but studies Medicine in Bologna. We talked for a while and I said I was going to pass by Bologna in a few days, so we agreed that maybe we could meet there. I said goodbye and went to the platform. Five days later I arrived to Bologna and sent her a message. She was very happy and invited me for dinner at her house, but I already had plans with other friends. The following evening I was in Piazza Maggiore and wrote to her again asking if she wanted to meet. She told me to come to a concert at Le Serre. Ok! I walked away from the centre and about twenty minutes later arrived to a place of greenhouses and gardens turned into bars and stages. She turned up behind me, looking beautiful! I was introduced to her friends and we talked and laughed for a few hours with a great atmosphere and concert in the background. We discussed education, differences between languages, relationships, coincidences. Silvia explained to her friends how we had met at the station in Milan. I told them about the Radiohead concert I had been to in Monza, and Silvia looked at me surprised and said she had gone to the concert as well, that was why she was at the station the moment we met. We laughed at the coincidence and ended with the promise that we will see each other again!

LAURA In Lago di Como I had been walking along the road for about an hour and was desperate to go for a swim, but the sound of the cars was too close to the water. Suddenly I saw a woman reading on a pier. I went down the stairs and asked if it was safe to go in. “Yes” she replied, and asked me if I knew a better place that was further away from the road since she didn’t know Como that well, either. “No, but I will continue to explore and on my way back I’ll share what I have found.” I kept walking for about ten minutes and just after the village of Cernobbio I stopped on a small bridge and noticed some stairs descending from the corner, covered by bushes, that led to a dry creak. I went through a tunnel of stone and vegetation that ended 200 meters further down on a tiny, empty beach of pebbles and shells. I jumped into the water and back out, ran up to the main road, back to the pier and called for the woman, who was still reading. “Scusate! Ho trovato un posto bellissimo!”. She got up and we walked at a fast pace back to the bridge, down the stairs, through the tunnels and out into the lake. We swam together and didn’t talk much. Her name was Laura and she had long, wavy white hair and very blue eyes, and her skin was dry and darkened by the Sun. She explained the difference between “Scusi”, “Scusa” and “Scusate” and said I could call her by saying “Scusa”. After a while of collecting shells by the shore I asked if I could take a picture of her. She put her book down and replied “I’m too shy… but I can take a picture of you.” “Ok” I said, “I’m going to look at you and reflect your face with mine, so you’ll be in the picture as well” (I tried to say this in a basic Italian and she was slightly confused).

MATTEO Matteo gave me a ride from Milano to Verona. He is a sound engineer and was going there for a master class. He’s around 22 years old and his English is a lot better than he thinks. It was very early in the morning and I had to look for a blue car. We had arranged everything online and two other girls were joining us, both Mexican and very sleepy. Matteo loves everything about music. During the journey he introduced me to the Canzone Napoletana, Batisti and a few other singers. He has a very gentle way of asking questions and listening to the answers. He played Vinicio Capossela and I showed him some Fado while we drove into the sunrise with mountains near the horizon. Matteo loved Radiohead but hadn’t been able to go to their concert near Milan, and he couldn’t believe it when I told him I had been there due to a strange turn of events. We entered Verona at the sound of Radiohead while the two other girls slept in the back. At the station he offered me a coffee and off he went to his master class.

MUSICIANS IN THE PARK After a day spent exploring Verona I laid down and stretched on the grass of a small park on the other side of Castel Vecchio, near the river. I closed my eyes for a few minutes and the sound of an accordion seeped in. I recognized the piece being played: a Tarantella di Montemarano. It was one of the first Italian dances that my friend Monica had taught me, years ago. I got up, ran towards the sound, dropped my rucksack and began to dance to an audience of six men, all musicians in their 60s and 70s. They were resting under a tree and the accordionist was kneeling. The moment I arrived one of them got up and danced a perfect Tarantella while I tried to remember the movements. A small crowd of about seven people gathered round while another man from the group pulled out his clarinet and joined in. On the last chord, one of the men brushed the audience away and screamed: “This is a private concert!”. They all laughed and I asked the accordionist if I could have a go. He passed me the instrument and danced while I played a slow waltz. There were four nationalities in the group: Italian, Spanish, Romanian and Hungarian. One of them had been lying down all that time, with his head on a violin case. They asked him to play for me but he didn’t want to. After being shaken back and forth he got up mumbling insults, stood in front of us and played the Habanera, two pieces by Verdi and ended with “Besame, besame mucho”. We sang along and when I looked around I saw five men staring at me and saying “Besame, besame mucho”. I turned to the one who spoke English and replied “Signori, I would love to, but by the time I’m finished I will have missed my train”. I said goodbye and went to Padova.

JOHNNY JOKER I met two friends from Portugal, Tiago and Natércia, first in Venice and then a few days later in Bologna. We were having a water fight in an empty square and heard a rough laughter that was begging to join in. It was Vincenzo, also known as Johnny Joker, a former firefighter who travelled the world spreading good humour and descendency. I gave him some water and he immediately put his arm around me. He was an expert in history, languages, literature and spirituality. We talked in a mixture of italian, spanish, portuguese. The thousands of objects he was selling were a map of the places he visited with his van, which at night he parked in the countryside near Bologna and transformed into a stage for parties and retreats with fellow travellers. He offered us incense and postcards of the Dalai Lama in exchange for water and jokes, and we stayed with him and talked for a long time. We were shown a precious book with pages made of banana peels, holding strange inscriptions in a language that Vincenzo had never been able to identify. He managed to disguise innuendos in every sentence, and when I asked for the price of a small Saint Anthony that Natércia had found, he replied “1€ e un beso!”. Tiago and Natércia left that day and the following morning I went looking for Johnny Joker, but the square was filled with other vans and his wasn’t there.

GUIDO & VITTORIO On my second day in Bologna I decided to walk up to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Lucca, without fully realizing the trip I was about to embark on. The church sits on top of a hill with an incredible view over the city and the countryside. Whenever I asked for directions on how to get there, people looked at me slightly worried. The day was very hot and the basilica was hundreds of steps away, uphill. I stopped in a cafe to get a bottle of water and asked the bartender, Guido, for directions. He made fun of my request and advised me to take two bottles. I left the cafe and began the climb. About 15 minutes later the bottles were empty and I looked like I had come out of the shower. The view was already spectacular, so I began to look for my phone to get a picture. I realised I had left it at the cafe. I ran back down and Guido was by the front door talking to a friend and holding the phone. “Ah, there she is, the Portuguese”. Vittorio, the other man, said he had found my phone on the counter. “Are you still going up?” Guido asked. I said I would rest for a bit and then go back up. “This time, take your phone with you. Take a photo of the view and come back here to show it, or I will not believe you. It will take you 40 minutes to go up. Here, have a water bottle.” It took me an hour, but I got the picture from the very top of the dome, and when I went back to Guido’s cafe he was still there with Vittorio. I showed them the picture while he danced to a song on the radio and offered me another water bottle.

AGATA & GENZIANA On the train from Bologna to Rimini I sat opposite a mother and a daughter. The girl looked at my braids and whispered to her mum: “She has two of them…!”. I laughed and pulled by the ends while making a silly face. I asked what her name was and she said “Agata, and you?” “Matilde”. I asked about her age and she was very ready to reply “Sette e mezzo” and then announcing her mother’s age: “Quarantaquattro”. The mother looked at her and said in Italian “Actually, it’s forty-five, but thank you for that, Agata”. Genziana is a Spanish teacher who travels often, and she was telling me about a trip to Lisbon she made in 1998. In the meantime, Agata said she would like to make a drawing of me. I told her I would do the same for her and proposed a game: We had to draw each other without looking at the paper. Agata tried to play but her eyes kept being drawn to the sheet, so she did it her way and I followed. She gave me four beautiful artworks before I left. I drew her portrait, as well as the two of them sitting next to each other, and we exchanged gifts at the end. Genziana gave me her name on Facebook and we are now in contact. The last of Agata’s drawings was a kind of test: I had to write my name on it and tick the box that said “Yes” in order to accept the gift. And oh, what a gift!

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