#nothings ever getting between that gal and waffles

[stevetonyweekly]

SteveTony Weekly - Oct 9th

 Welcome back! Here’s what I read last week. I’m thinking I might start adding some of my notes/thoughts to the list--what do we think? 

***Marks my recent favorites 

Counterpart by sara_holmes

coun•ter•part [koun-ter-pahrt] [noun] 1. a person or thing closely resembling another, especially in function. 2. a copy; duplicate. 3. one of two parts that fit, complete, or complement one another.

Just because Hydra used the DNA of a Captain America from another dimension to create a lab-grown, six-year-old super-soldier, it doesn't mean that said six-year old super-soldier is biologically Steve's, right?

(Where Steve wants to ban Clint from bringing things home from alternative dimensions, until he doesn't.)

This was a reread and I'm working my way through the series again--I really love it, and the way Steve doesn't immediately want to become a father.

You or Someone Like You by scifigrl47

Bad things happen when you punch holes in the fabric of time and space. Things get lost.

Including things that really, really shouldn't be misplaced.

I am a huge fan of scifigrl's depiction of DUM-E and DJ, and while I've read most of the series, I hadn't read this and it was amazing.

practice makes perfect by starklystar

“Marry me.”

Tony’s words are muffled by the food in his mouth, but Steve’s sharp ears pick them up anyway, and he freezes as he hears Rhodes huff.

“For the five hundredth and sixty first time, no.”

“Honeybear, light of my life, these waffles are to die for.”

Rhodes’ eyebrows rise. “I thought we agreed: no more dying.”

“Spoilsport,” Tony nibbles on some more of the waffles.

Was that – did Tony just propose to Rhodes? For the sake of waffles? What did that make Steve’s pancakes?

------------

Or, 69 times Tony proposes, and the one time Steve says yes.

Jealous Steve is one of my favorite Steves. And this was so nicely done.

A Certain Affinity by miobambiino

"They were like that a lot nowadays, ever since they got back from their little kidnapping escapade. Sure, they’d been close before then - they all had - but now… it was different. They were close, close. Squishing up next to each other, whispering to one another, playing with each others hair, apparently.

Steve inwardly grimaced at himself. He was being bitter and petty, he knew that. But he couldn’t figure out why, though. His teammates were getting along, which is only a good thing. Especially considering how they started things off way back on the helicarrier. But since when were Tony and Nat this cosy?"

Aka Steve is jealous of Tony and Nat's friendship, gets the wrong idea, and requires a little help from Nat herself to get some well-needed perspective.

This has a really fantastic friendship between Nat and Tony that I adored. 

Everybody Wonders (What It Would Be Like to Love You) by SoldiersShield

“...Is that what this is about?” He asks slowly. Steve blanches.

“Oh my god. It is.” Tony has no right looking as giddy as he does. “Steven Grant Rogers, are you jealous?”

--

Or: Steve and Tony have been dancing around each other for a while now, and Steve's rather content with it. Attending a gala together just might change that.

Favorite tropes--gala and jealous Steve doing on a pretty Tony. There's literally nothing about this fic I don't adore.

Flirt with Me by holmesintardis

In his own way, Steve finally comes to grips with Tony's incessant flirting.

Tony can't say he doesn't love Steve's methods.

tell me that you love me by idacarvalli

Tony’s not jealous. He swears he’s not.

It’s just that Sheriff Steve Rogers has been hanging around that gal Sharon Carter a little bit more than Tony would have liked.

But he’s not jealous. He’s really not.

I love Timely and these two idiots dancing around each other.

Tree of Man by KandiSheek

Steve fell in love with Tony’s work long before they even got together. The things Tony can do with nothing but a few pieces of rope are incredible, taking something that society loves to view as perverted and turning it into fine art. So when Tony asks him to be a part of his next installation, Steve doesn't even hesitate.

This was just so visually beautiful I loved everything about it.

More Than Friends by Pearl_Unplanned

After the first time they have sex, nothing really changed.

The fighting didn't stop. If anything, it got a bit more heated, they got a bit closer, and after everyone thought they'd left to go cool off, the angry sex was great.

But that was just about it. More sex, not that Tony could complain, because Steve was amazing in bed. Here he'd thought for so long that the man was a blushing virgin. He learned the truth before they'd even made it to the bedroom.

Tony really didn't want to complain, because this was more than he could've hoped for, but when he'd watch Steve walk into the room with that tight white shirt and those loose pants, barely hanging onto his hips, he couldn't help but want more than just sex.

Or the one where a friends with benefits relationship may be more than just that.

Movie Night by tinystark616 

Tony thinks this is going to be just like any other movie night, but Steve has other ideas.

sEMI-PUBLIC SEX GUYYYYYYS! So hot. 

Night Encounter by Nimiamlove (orphan_account)

He spends so much time with machines that he forgets he isn’t one of them, and in times like this, his human body reminds him of it.

He wanted a hug, a long lasting one, Tony deduced with sadness.

A tiny piece of fluffy angst and our favs taking care of each other.

Keep on Beating by itsallAvengers

There were an awful lot of things Steve loved about Tony. But one thing in particular Steve could never get enough of was his heartbeat.

I'm a huge sucker for Steve listening to Tony's heartbeat and this is so well done. 

Unfurl Your Gown by theladyingrey42

"I feel ridiculous." Steve scowls at his drink and pretends he's not shifting just to feel the skirt against his thighs.

Steve is so soft in this, so baby. He needs so much love.

Everybody Wants Some by Maeglin_Yedi

Tony gets propositioned. A lot.

A+ jealous Steve content.

Get Me Off This Ride by ozuma 

An omega and an alpha walk into an elevator. Wait, stop me if you've heard this one before...

Heat and A/B/O dynamics are sometimes exactly what you need. 

overheard your heartbeat (calling me yours) by starklystar

"Tony - "

"I wish I could promise to come home this time," he feels the armor crawl back down his arm, continuing unnoticed over Steve's red gloves, then up the blue uniform as Tony fights to keep Steve's gaze firmly fixed on him. 

The last eyes Tony might get to see, and he wants to be lost in them. 

In the end, his entire life boils down a few simple things: "JARVIS, take care of him for me."

----------

Or, Tony overhears a phonecall where Steve proposes, a battle happens, and a paper ring settles some misunderstandings.

Misunderstandings and sappy boys in love.

The privilege to witness idiocy by BladeoftheNebula

Stark took a deep breath and let it out, visibly steeling himself. “I think my new husband is trying to kill me.”

In which retired navy man Anthony Stark reveals a terrible theory about his new spouse and Captain James Rhodes regrets the choices he has made in his life.

What You Don't Know by Sineala

In 1941, two strangers meet in a bar. And then Captain America meets Iron Man. And then Steve Rogers meets Tony Stark. They get it right. Eventually. And also they fall out of an airplane.

I absolutely adore the way Sineala writes Steve and identity porn. 

Liquid Lunch by romanoff

Tony's turned into a vampire. It's very sad for everyone involved.

Especially Steve. Not just because Tony keeps trying to eat him alive. There are other reasons too.

“Just let me try a little bit,” he pleads “I won’t take all of it, oh, just a little taste—” He presses his palms flat against the glass and tries to scrape his teeth down the window “I can, I can control myself, promise.” And then he turns those eyes on Steve, looks him straight on, and they’re pleading, and innocent, and really, it’s selfish of him not to give Tony his blood, why would he not, he can’t see any justifiable reason, so he just starts rolling up his sleeve and nodding as Tony salivates into the glass.

This was excellent. Had a few well done OC's. Also vampires for spooky season. 

Held Series by romanoff

It's not the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to Tony, but it's up there.

Soft BDSM dynamics and healing together. Loved it so much.

#stevetony #stevetony weekly #stony #stony fic #stony fic rec #fic rec #stevetony fic

[tammysart]

patrol night with little interruptions

#save it B #nothings ever getting between that gal and waffles #might as well just swing with it #robin stephanie brown #stephanie brown robin #batman and robin #stephanie brown #bruce wayne #stephanie brown fanart #batfamily fanart #batfam #batfam fanart #robins #robins dc #robin 4 #robin fanart #batkids #stephanie brown as robin #dc fanart #batman fanart #illustration #my art

[fortheloveoffanfic]

The One That Stays

Keanu Reeves x Reader Chapter 1  A/n- It was so hard to find a song/lyric that suit this chapter and barely strung it together with this one.

Chapter 2- Expeditor 

“I wonder if I’ll ever see you again, And if that day comes, I know we could win, I wonder if I’ll ever see you again.” -Lenny Kravitz, Again.

From the minute Y/n stumbled into her ritzy apartment in Malibu, struggling to drag Julie inside, she realized that after all the fun little banter with Keanu; they hadn’t even exchanged contact information. “Fuck,” she breathed, tossing her keys to the varnished end table near the front door.

“What?” Julie slurred, her arms flailing for an unknown reason, almost falling forward, “And this is your apartment, not mine!” She pouted.

“I know,” Y/n gently eased her onto the plush beige sofa, kneeling to remove Julie’s white pumps, casually tossing them to the side. Next, she made short work of removing Julie’s coat, draping it on an arm of the sofa, “But I’m not gonna leave you alone there when you’re like this.”

“So we’re gonna have a sleep over?” Julie slurred, struggling to brush a couple loose, messy strands of dirty-blonde hair out of her face, “Just like old times.”

Y/n sighed, laughing quietly; Julie was always the fun, chatty, reckless drunk; the life of the party and ready to let out her inner child, “I slept over at your place last week,” Y/n reminded her, hoping she didn’t sound annoyed. It wasn’t rare for the two to spend nights at the other’s places, considering the only difference was an elevator ride. 

“Right,” she nodded clumsily, slouching into the couch, taking a deep breath before her composure relaxed and she said, “Thank you for taking care of me Y/n/n, you’re like...”

By then, Y/n had already discarded her own strappy heels and had wandered off to the nearby kitchen, getting Julie a glass of water, “I’m like?” Y/n asked and when Julie didn’t finish her sentence; “Jules?” She called again, returning to the living room, her shoulders slumping when she found that Julie had fallen asleep, still half sitting, head bent into her chest uncomfortably. 

With a quiet chuckle and a faint smile, Y/n proceeded to lift Julie’s legs onto the sofa, readjusting her friend until she was in a more appropriate sleeping position. Afterwards, Y/n retrieved a blanket from the near by linen closet, gently draping it over Julie’s petite form, “’Night hun,” she spoke softly, pressing a feather light kiss to her temple. 

The next morning, Y/n shifted against her Egyptian cotton sheets, and as she sat up, her thick, black and white, floral print duvet slid from her upper body. Her drinks from the night before had only left her with the slightest headache, nothing that couldn’t been remedied before noon. 

For a minute, she sat in bed, stretching out her arms, pleased that she wouldn’t have to spend the rest of the morning regretting anything from the night before, face down in bed. Her initial mood was even added to when she remembered that she had a date on the coming Friday......until she realized that it probably wasn’t going to happen. With a frown and an annoyed huff; kicking off the comforter, Y/n swung her legs, shoving her feet into a pair of comfy slippers; a mild lavender pair with soft fuzz on the top that matched her silk robe. Slowly, she went through the motions of her morning routine; freshening up before heading to the kitchen to get breakfast ready.

In the living room, Julie still snored, blissfully unaware of the hangover that awaited her. When Y/n was satisfied with her condition- not covered in puke and still breathing; she went about with cooking, well, putting things into the toaster as quietly as possible. Y/n buzzed around the kitchen, preparing the coffee and then digging frozen waffles out of the freezer, getting a few out of the box. Everything was going as smoothly and as quietly as planned....until the toaster dinged and a groan  pained escaped the mass of sheets of her sofa.

After a couple minutes, Julie sat up, still holding the blanket over her head, as if it were a wide brimmed sun hat and not a thick sheet, “Can you be any louder?” She groaned with a despondent pout.

“I can,” Y/n giggled, pouring herself a cup of coffee, “Coffee?”

“More like kill me,” Julie mumbled, stumbling off of the chair, heading towards the bathroom, “The Aspirin better be in it’s usual place,” she continued, as she staggered down the hall.

A while later, she reemerged, looking a little refreshed; her face ridded of smudged make up and smelling less of stale alcohol, “Gimme,” Julie made grabbing motions at the cup of coffee that Y/n had poured her, “Thanks babe,” she smiled, plopping onto the bar stool, snatching a toaster waffle off the plate at the center of the granite counter.

Y/n stood on the other side, returning to her former task; using her fork to swirl bits of waffle around in a little pool of syrup, not really interested eating, “Yeah, no problem,” she smiled, and Julie could tell it was fake; over twenty years of friendship could do that.

Julie sighed, putting her cup down, “Are you mad at me? About last night? God, I must have embarrassed you,” she cringed, “Y/n, I’m so-”

“It’s not you, promise,” Y/n cut of her rambling, “I’m not mad, that’s what sisters are for right?” She winked, trying to smile again.

“Then what’s wrong. And don’t tell me its nothing because that won’t work on me,” when Y/n didn’t respond, Julie persisted, “Please?”

“Ugh,” Y/n groaned, not wanting to talk about it. She felt like a kid for even being upset about it; she and Keanu had spoken for just about half hour, even if he did realize that they hadn’t exchanged contacts, surely he might have already brushed the matter off, “Keanu asked me out.”

“Like on a date?” Julie’s eyes brightened and she sat up a little straighter. The pills seemed to be kicking in already and Julie all but jumped off the stool, reaching over the counter to lightly slap Y/n’s arm, “That great! I knew he’d like you,” though her face quickly fell, “Wait, why’s that bad? Oh god, you don’t like him back, do you?”

“I do,” Y/n reassured her, “He seems great, but, we just.......he doesn’t have my number, I don’t have his. We couldn’t even write each other if we wanted to. He’s probably already forgotten about it anyway, I don't even know why I’m pouting over it.”

“You don’t have his number? That’s the issue?” Julie asked incredulously, “You do realize that this is the twenty-first century and that his address is on the internet, right?”

Y/n rolled her eyes, going to dump the contents of her plate into the trash before washing it, “I’m not going to just show up at his house, I’m not a stalker.”

“You wouldn’t be,” Julie countered, easing off her seat, padding barefoot back into the living room, rummaging through her coat until she produced her phone, “You’d be using technically public information,” she continued, joking around as her fingers danced along the brightened screen.

“There’s a difference between public information and private information that's been leaked by assholes on the internet. Besides, I don’t see you showing up at Leonardo DiCaprio's house and I heard they’re neighbors,” Y/n teased back.

“Yeah, well, I already have a DUI, I don’t wanna add stalking to my criminal record,” Julie, paused dramatically, giving the phone’s face one final tap, “And done!”

“What did you just do?” Y/n traded, suspicion evident in her tone.

Julie shrugged, reclaiming her seat, going back to her syrup-less waffle and cooling coffee, “Just a thing, you can thank me later.”

In his efforts to play it suave and confident, Keanu had completely forgotten to ask for Y/n’s number, which meant that he had a date with a seemingly great girl, but no way to contact her. He could have just asked Julie, he thought, or maybe even, dare he say, scourer the net for something helpful, but Keanu had quickly dismissed the ideas, deciding that they both might come off as weird and desperate.

It was a little disappointing, especially because from the moment Y/n had agreed to go out with him, Keanu had started looking forward to the coming Friday. He had already started thinking of places and everything. Y/n had come off as funny and smart, and admittedly, she was extremely beautiful. 

Huffing, he sank further into the back of his sofa, taking a long sip of his scalding hot coffee, his other hand feeling around next to him for the television remote; the news was hardly the jaw dropping entertainment that would take his mind off things. Though, the second he reached for the remote, a couple inches next to it, his phone lit up; vibrating with a couple texts from Julie.

Curiously, he grabbed the device up, swiping it unlocked, a smile spreading onto his face as he read; “Hey, morning. My gal pal just mentioned that you two dorks didn’t exchange numbers (rookie mistake if you ask me), anyway, I’ll send it your way.” The text that followed was, as promised one that linked Y/n’s number, labeled in true ‘Julie style’ as “ma woman”.

Keanu smirked at the screen, wasting no time in adding the number to his phone, under a more fitting, less possessive name. And then, with shaking fingers, he set his coffee on the short, glass table in front of his couch and got to work on conjuring up a text to Y/n.

“Hey.” “Got your number form Jules, hope that isn’t too weird.” “It’s weird isn’t it?” “This is Keanu by the way.” And finally, because four in a row in the span of about two minutes wasn’t weird enough, Keanu sent a fifth; “Reeves. Keanu Reeves. From the party last night.”

Julie had taken the elevator down about an hour after breakfast and Y/n had taken a shower, changing into a pair of comfortable shorts and a tank top; thinking of walking down to the beach for a while. As she mulled over it, Y/n strategically pinned some of her short hair out of her face with a couple bobby pins when on her bed, her phone buzzed, the sound muffled by the mattress.

It was a series of texts from an unknown number and Y/n groaned, annoyed. Of all things; spam. Though, when she opened the messages, Y/n was pleasantly surprised, finding that they were actually from Keanu. Of course Julie wouldn’t let it go. 

Anxiously, she tapped up a response, “Hi. No worries, it’s not weird. I’m glad she gave it to you.”

His response was almost instantaneous, “Great! I had a lot of fun talking with you last night. Looking forward to Friday.”

“I did too,” she began, opting to add, “And so am I, heading to the beach for a run, but maybe we can talk later?”

Y/n held her breath for his response, something in her brain telling her that it was a risky response. Did it come of as pushy? Would he think that she was brushing him off? Would he not want to ‘talk later’? Needless to say, college dating had ruined her. 

Thankfully, his reply didn’t indicate that her worries had been confirmed, “Sounds great, have fun!”

Bless him for not being a millennial. 

Satisfied, Y/n got into her running shoes, grabbing her headphones off her nightstand and set off for her run, beaming because, her date, had in fact, been saved.

******

Tagging- @baphometwolf666

#Keanu Reeves #Keanu reeves x reader #Keanu reeves x you #Keanu reeves fanfiction #the one that stays #chapter 2 #fanfiction #fanfic #series #the one that stays chapter 2

[nancypullen]

Monday

What can I say? Another day of tidying up. Another day of cooking.  Another day of counting bees.  Another day of reading. Another day, another day, another day. Another day of outward smiles and inward screams.  Just kidding, I appreciate this life. I’m grateful for every day this side of the dirt.  But come on.  I was excited yesterday because we had a different UPS man.  Any little change in this routine is cause for celebration.  Disclaimer: I hope that no harm befell our regular UPS guy,  that he was just enjoying a lovely day off. I tried to celebrate Father’s Day yesterday, I wanted the mister to feel appreciated.  Unfortunately he had a go-live (that’s when they flip the switch on a hospital they’ve been updating for months - always on a weekend just in case any issues arise, that way business as usual isn’t disrupted). He spent pretty much all day at his desk. Boooo!  The big celebration was about a 30 minute window at dinner time.  I think he deserves a second holiday so maybe we’ll try again next week.  He may have a go-live then as well,  I can’t remember the last time he had a full weekend.  I feel really small complaining about that when I know that so many are struggling with unemployment or fewer hours right now.  I’ll just shut up and be thankful for security. I suppose I’ll sit at my desk for a bit today and play with some dead people.  I’m in the mood to start thinking about Halloween and witches.  Wouldn’t this little girl be adorable with a witch hat?

There are so many vintage photos of little girls and women with their cats.  Apparently women and cats have a centuries old love affair.  I get it. This is what I had on the ol’ drawing board yesterday.

Those may not become cards.  If it doesn’t make me giggle while making it I usually don’t take it any further.  I like the one about avoiding people, but that may not be the right gal for the message.  A few days ago I slapped her on a library checkout card and added a snarky message.

I didn’t feel good about that.  I mean, it’s not nice if a man says women are stupid, right?  I suppose I was caught up in my frustration with the old white men in the Tennessee legislature and the nonsense they spout.  Maybe I’ll put it on postcards and send them a note expressing my views.   In the end, I found these two gals who look like they’re having a fine time.

It became a card for my most militant friend, the one I can always count on to storm the gates with me. The one who has written over a thousand Postcards to Voters, who has worn out her welcome with Marsha Blackburn, and who always, always falls on the right side of history.

It’s not the tidiest card I’ve ever made, that ticket is wonky but necessary, however the message is from the heart.

So that’s where I am today, just nine days from turning the calendar to July, waffling between being angry at the state of the world and grateful for all of the good people fighting to right the ship.   I think I’ll go snip a bit of lavender for my desk, think some happy thoughts, and see what I come up with that’s cheerful - maybe something fairy related.  I’ve also got a couple of curbside pickups this afternoon so maybe a drive with the sunroof open and some good tunes will get me back to center.  Music always works.  I need to get on the treadmill too, endorphins from exercise are a sure thing.  Of course, following that with a cookie is probably not a good idea.  Doesn’t mean it won’t happen though. Whatever it is that helps you find balance, whatever feeds your soul, do some of that today.  This mess is far from over (choose the mess that suits your mood - pandemic, Trump, racism, looking for murder hornets, whatever)  and we have to keep ourselves whole, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Take a break from worry, take a break from fighting, recharge.  You’re not carrying the load alone and if you pause for a breath we still move forward.  Escape into a book or movie, soak in a bubble bath and sing along to love songs, put fresh flowers on the table and bake something decadent, or have a socially distant picnic with friends.  Life is kind of awful right now, but you can control your little space.  Make it happy.  There’s nothing wrong with having a safe and happy spot in the midst of chaos.  After all, happiness is what we’re fighting for - everyone’s happiness. Sending out love and peace today. XOXO - Nancy

[lettercollectors]

The best day of the year, Galentine’s day, has arrived! The day before Valentine’s day is one dedicated to female friendships (curtesy of Parks and Recreation, a brief shout-out to one of the best tv-shows ever written!), and a chance for you to celebrate all the ladies in your life. Because romantic love might be good, but platonic love is amazing. So we thought we would take this opportunity to celebrate our favorite literary gals and their favorite gals, by compiling a list of some of our favorite female friendships. These girls all fiercely protect, love and cherish each other, and if they’ve taught us anything it’s that you can do anything with the right friends at your side. So ... do you agree with our picks?

Gwen & Lesley, Ruby Red by Kerstin Grier

“Don’t forget, this is a matter of life and death,” said Lesley. “You think I want to lose my best friend just because she couldn’t think straight after a bit of snogging?”

Safi & Iseult, The Witchlands by Susan Dennard

“I hate this. Both the storm and the plan. Why does it have to be ‘we’? Why not just me?” “Because ‘just me’ isn’t who we are,” Iseult hollered back. “I’ll always follow you, Safi, and you’ll always follow me. Threadsisters to the end.”

The Gallagher Girls, Gallagher Girls by Ally Carter

“What is a Gallagher Girl?” Liz asked one final time. “She’s a genius, a scientist, a heroine, a spy. And now we are at the end of our time at school, and the one thing I know for certain is this: A Gallagher Girl is whatever she wants to be.” Thunderous, raucous applause filled the student section. Liz smiled and wiped her eyes. She leaned close to the microphone. “And, most of all, she is my sister.”

Celaena & Nehemia, Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

“But no matter what I did, Elentiya, I want you to know that in the darkness of the past ten years, you were one of the bright lights for me. Do not let that light go out.”

Emma & Cristina, The Dark Artifices by Cassandra Clare

“Cristina I love you,” Emma said. “I will marry you. Marry you.” Cristina giggled. “My mother’s already picked out who I’m going to marry, remember? Imagine what she’d say if I brought you home.” “You don’t think she’d like me more than Perfect Diego?” “I think you would be able to hear her screaming from Idris.”

Cinder & Iko, The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

Iko held up a hand. “You need a system debug if you're suggesting that I would abandon you now.”

Claudia & Iris, Foolish Hearts by Emma Mills

“Good.” She looks away, fussing with her straw again. “Don’t think that just because you said a bunch of nice stuff about me, I won’t poke you for making that sound,” I say when I can speak again. “I would expect nothing less,” Iris replies.

Eelyn & Mýra, Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young

She would have to lead with her left and her left wasn’t her strong side. But I’d done as much for her in the past. It’s what we did for each other. It’s how we survived. And being back on the front line with her was like going home. A home that could never be burned or broken.

Ava & Gen, I Hate Everyone But You by Gaby Dunn & Allison Raskin

“I am extraordinarily proud of you and can't wait for the entire city of Boston to both love and fear you. Just remember that NO ONE will ever love (or fear) you like I do.”

Lily & Rose & Daisy, Addicted series by Krista & Becca Ritchie

We promise to always be there for one another, to support each other’s choices, to be the tides that wash away negativity and foes. However long we live, however hard life becomes, we’ll never lose sight of this sisterhood.

Mia & Lilly, The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

The people who are your friends before you got the crown are the people who are going to be your best friends no matter what. Because they are the ones who love you for you-in all your geekiness- and not because of what they can get out of you. Weirdly, in some instances, even the people who were your enemies before you got famous can end up being better friends to you become friends with after you become famous. And even when those friends get mad at you, you still need them, even more than ever. Because they are the people who are willing to tell you the truth.

Lena & Carmen & Bridget & Tibby, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

“The word friends doesn't seem to stretch big enough to describe how we feel about each other. We forget where one of us starts and the other one stops.”

Amani & Shazad, Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton

I thought of Shazad. My sister in arms. We had recognised something in each other the first time we met and we were tied. By more than blood.

Nina & Inej, Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Jesper expected Inej to laugh and was startled when she took Nina’s face between her hands and said, “Thank you for keeping me in this world when fate seemed determined to drag me to the next. I owe you a life debt.” Nina blushed deeply. “I was teasing, Inej.” She paused. “I think we’ve both had enough of debts.”

“This is one I’m glad to bear.”

“Okay, okay. When we’re back in Ketterdam, take me out for waffles.”

Rose & Lissa, Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

“If you try to turn me against Lissa one more time the stories are going to be about you bleeding because I'll have ripped your throat out!”

How did we do? Did we miss your favorites? Let us know and we might include them next year!

#ruby red #the witchlands #gallagher girls #tog #throne of glass #tda #the dark artifices #the lunar chronicles #foolish hearts #sky in the deep #i hate everyone but you #addicted series #the princess diaries #the sisterhood of the traveling pants #rebel of the sands #six of crows #soc #vampire academy #our post

[robo-cryptid]

I mentioned in my monthly update post that I had a lot of little things I was working on that I haven’t posted, but here’s a preview of one of them. It’s an untitled WIP that I’m tentatively calling “Disaster Gays Refuse to Admit They’re Flirting Over Waffles (and also there’s probably only one bed on this mission).”

The linoleum felt sticky under Hanzo’s boots, grimy from the years in a way that no amount of cleaning could fix. The few patrons stared as they walked in, and Hanzo felt strangely self-conscious. He had done his best to take some of McCree’s advice to heart, bought a pair of workman’s boots and fitted jeans. But it was hot, and he hadn’t bothered to wear more than the plain black t-shirt. He saw them staring at his tattoo and at his face, and he felt, keenly, the sense that he didn’t belong here.

McCree moved from behind him as if he noticed none of these things, swaggering even here, to grab a seat at a nearby table. Hanzo only followed, and the patrons mostly turned back to their meals. Two young women in the corner continued to stare; they seemed to think themselves subtle, but Hanzo kept catching it. They giggled to each other, and he flushed to realize he’d imagined them briefly as potential threats.

Their server got on well with McCree. He’d mentioned in passing that older women had always liked him, and Sharon was no different, took to his flirting with a fine blend of skeptical and charmed. “Don’t mind the looks,” she said. “We don’t often get your type comin’ through here.”

“And what’s our type?” McCree asked, grinning up at her.

“I’m sure those gals over there’d love to know,” Sharon said with a laugh. “You boys hang around a while, you’ll hafta wave ’em off with a stick. Nothin’ but trouble.” She was smiling though, and she left with their order.

The silence between them was, if not amiable, at least not unpleasant. It seemed McCree wasn’t going to break it, for once, and Hanzo was grateful enough for it that he caught himself nearly smiling at Sharon when she brought their coffees. When Hanzo looked back, McCree was watching him. “What?”

“Nothin’, just funny seein’ you outta your element.” Hanzo didn’t care to inquire further what he meant by that. McCree took a sip of the coffee and looked surprised enough that Hanzo hesitated on drinking his own. “It’s good,” he said.

Hanzo sipped his and found it to be true. “That surprises you?”

McCree laughed. “Guess you haven’t eaten at a place like this before. Greasy spoon coffee only ever tastes like heaven or boiled dirt, nothin’ in between.”

Hanzo snorted, took another sip. He had never been much for coffee before Overwatch, so he supposed he didn’t have the palate to know the difference. “I’ll take your word for it.”

They enjoyed their coffee quietly until Sharon returned with the food. Hanzo’s plate had plain toast and two eggs. It had seemed the simplest option on the menu, but the fried eggs practically swam in oil, and he poked at them warily. McCree seemed to have no such misgivings; he poured a veritable lake of syrup over his waffles and ate them with noises that made Hanzo’s face heat up.

“Must you?” he asked primly, and McCree swallowed his mouthful of food.

“Sorry, ’s been a long time since I had waffles. And these are great.” He raised his voice. “These are great, Sharon!” Hanzo wanted to shrink into his seat. Nothing about McCree right now matched up to Winston’s insistence on discretion. McCree clearly saw his embarrassment but only grinned at him and took a bite of bacon. “You wanna try some?”

“You are a menace,” Hanzo said, ignoring the question.

“You don’t get to judge. I’m hungry, and I love waffles.” Hanzo only looked back, nibbled on his toast. McCree watched him for a second. “Don’t tell me you’ve never had ’em.”

Hanzo sighed. “I haven’t.” His father had not been keen on sweet foods or anything else declared unfit for a healthy body, and waffles had been far from Hanzo’s biggest priority when it came to bucking those old habits.

“You’re kidding.” Hanzo shook his head. McCree sawed at the pile with his knife, then shoved his fork at Hanzo, syrup dripping on the table between them. When Hanzo only stared, McCree stabbed the fork in his direction. “You gotta try it now.”

Hanzo really didn’t need him to continue making a scene. He leaned over the table and took a bite. McCree’s eyes went a little wide, and Hanzo realized belatedly he’d probably meant for Hanzo to take the fork. He backed up, chewing, and McCree snatched his hand back. Hanzo wiped syrup from his bottom lip, licked it off the tip of his finger, and McCree looked studiously at his plate.

McCree cleared his throat. “Your verdict?”

“It’s good,” Hanzo said with a shrug.

“That’s all? You’re hopeless, I’m tellin’ you.” McCree sighed, and he went back to his food. But Hanzo shoved his plate of eggs aside and ordered his own waffles, and McCree gave him a funny, lopsided grin.

#robo writing #wips #fic teasers

[wildroseofarran]

Growing Closer, Part II || June & Aidan

June: "Okay, honey." June put her pancake batter in the fridge and crouched down in front of Socks. It was the next morning, breakfast was well under way, and Aidan would be here very soon.

"We've got a man coming over today and I want you to be extra nice to him, okay? Mama likes him very much and it's very important that today's a good day. What do you say? Can you be good?"

Socks chirped and rubbed his face on her knee.

"I'll take that as a yes."

Aidan: Aidan hadn't really slept. He had been nervous and guilt-ridden all night. He had to tell her the truth. He had to let her know what he was. The longer he waited, the more upset she might become. Especially if they continue kissing and touching as they were the night previous.

Showered, clothed, and with flowers in his hands, he shows up a little bit late and knocks on the door. He had been hesitant to come.

June: Today might have been a lazy day, but that didn't stop June from rushing over to the nearest mirror and making sure she looked okay when she heard the knock at the door.

The first thing Aidan would see when she opened the door was a brilliant smile. "Good morning, Prince Charming!" she said brightly. Her hair was up in an artfully messy ponytail and she was wearing gray sweatpants and a white and pink t-shirt.

Aidan: He couldn't match her excitement, no matter how much that smile quickened his pulse.

"Good morning, beautiful. These are for you." Obviously. Who else would they be for, her cat? Dumb thing to say, Aidan. He just holds the flowers out.

June: If the look on June's face was anything to go by, it hadn't been a dumb thing to say at all. "Aww, thank you!" She took the flowers and buried her face in them. "They look and smell amazing. Come on in."

Aidan: He hoped so, he had gone to the florist and asked them 'do something nice'. Entering, Aidan removes his shoes and scarf, "Where should I put my jacket?"

June: "I've got a coat rack in the kitchen. This way." As she led him toward the back of the house, they were greeted by the smell of coffee and cooking bacon.

"Take a seat," she said, grabbing a vase for the flowers. "The pancakes will be done real soon. Want some coffee or tea?"

Aidan: Aidan follows, shedding his jacket to reveal a baggy hoodie that covered the tank underneath. It was a lazy day. He was trying to be comfortable. Of course, he was in jeans, but she would be proving the final piece of the outfit.

"It smells delicious," he responds as he sits, shaking his head, "No, thank you. I'm alright."

June: "Why thank you, sugar." June filled the vase, placed the flowers inside, and carried it to the table. It made a very pretty centerpiece.

"You sure? I've got orange juice too."

Aidan: Aidan shook his head. "No... honestly."

June: "All rightie. Oh, there's Socks. Say hi, honey."

A black and white Exotic Shorthair cat had seated itself in the doorway, eyeing Aidan and trying to decide whether or not it was safe to approach.

Aidan: Aidan looks the cat over, lowering to offer his hand. The cat could explore him if it needed to.

June: Socks cautiously moved closer, sniffing Aidan's hand. He smelled funny. Like Pete and his friend with the treats in his pocket.

Another sniff. Still funny, but not dangerous for the moment.

He placed his head under Aidan's hand for scritches.

Aidan: Aidan is relaxed and still until Socks settles. He gently rubs his head, and scratches behind his ear.

June: June had been holding her breath throughout the entire exchange, worried that it would go horribly wrong and that Socks would try to bite or scratch Aidan.

When he just asked for pets, she relaxed. Thank god.

"Told you he was sweet," June said to Aidan, smiling as she started on the pancakes.

Aidan: He smiles up at her, straightening in his seat.

"So... um... how much do you know about Fletcher an' Luke?"

June: "Well, I've known Fletcher for ages and ages. Don't know Luke all that well, but I know he lives and works with Fletcher at the pawn shop and that they're madly in love."

Aidan: "Oh. That's nice." He'll act like he didn't just see how her cat dies.

"I uh..." Not yet. After breakfast. Just a few more moments of happiness, please. "Like how you look. Very snuggly."

June: "It really is. They both look so happy together. You should come hear Luke play at the bar sometime. He always draws a nice crowd."

She grabbed a couple of plates and began loading them with hash browns and bacon while the pancakes finished up. "Why thank you," she said, smiling. "I feel very snuggly. The sweatpants are waiting in the bathroom for whenever you're ready."

Aidan: "I think I remember his voice... My brother Sean taught him the piano." Ah, it's been so long since he's heard Sean sing.

Sounds like a good moment to escape and be distracted. To the bathroom he went, swapping jeans for joggers. The colour didn't really match his hoodie, and it fell a bit awkwardly. He was feeling a bit hot anyway, so he takes it off and scratches his bare arm. At least he had a tank on underneath. He returns with folded jeans and puts them on his shoes. He didn't want to be messy.

June: "Really? Sean should come play with him! Or maybe perform with him is a better word since we only have one piano. They could sing together!" She was sure Pete would be fine with it.

While Aidan changed, June plated the pancakes, adding a little dusting of powdered sugar before bringing them over to the table.

She grinned when Aidan returned. "Now you look snuggly too. Food's ready."

Aidan: Aidan laughs at her excitement, but that actually sounded like something they would absolutely do together. He'll bring it up with Sean and see how they feel.

He scratches his head when he's called snuggly. Interesting word for a grown man. He takes a seat, inhaling. "Mm. Thank you."

June: "You're very welcome, sugar," said June, smiling to herself as she sat across from him. She loved the look on his face any time she gave him a compliment. Somewhere between confused and bashful.

"So! Here we've got my famous blueberry pancakes, my equally famous hashbrowns, and some lovely local bacon. I didn't know if you liked butter and syrup or jam or whathaveyou so I just put it all out."

Aidan: Aidan licks his lips before reaching around beneath the table. The leg of her chair is held onto and pulled closer so that she would be beside him rather than opposite.

"Well what d'you like?" he asks, as if nothing had happened.

June: June gave a surprised squeak as she was suddenly moved closer, confusion slowly turning into a huge smile as Aidan calmly continued the conversation.

She pulled her plate over and followed suit. "I'm a 'drown them in butter and maple syrup' kinda gal. Same goes for waffles and French toast."

Aidan: "I will... have just the maple syrup because I don't think I've ever had that before in my entire life."

June: "Oh my god, are you serious? You've never had maple syrup?! Well we have to fix that right now." She offered him the glass bottle. "This is the real deal. None of that fake Aunt Jemima crap."

Aidan: Aidan laughs, "I don't know what that means. I've never been t'America before." It's never interested him to visit.

June: "That's actually good," she chuckled. "Now you can start off the right way, with real maple syrup."

Aidan: He'll add just a little bit of maple syrup, in case he doesn't like it.

"I assume it's very sweet."

June: "It's sweet, but it's a nice sweetness. Not cloying or anything."

Aidan: "Sweet like honey?"

June: "Sort of."

Aidan: ... Hm. A fork is picked up and he digs in. A bite is taken. And another. And another. Slowly.

"It's... nice."

June: June watched and waited, excited for his verdict and smiling once it was delivered.

"Yeah? You like?"

Aidan: Aidan smiles at her. "I like." He confirms, pausing for a moment before kissing her cheek.

June: She beamed at him and dug into her own pancakes.

"Good, I'm glad. Don't be shy if you want seconds."

Aidan: 'Don't be shy'... Interesting choice of words.

He continues to eat silently.

June: The choice hadn't been a conscious one. She probably said that dozens of times a day to patrons at the bar.

Aidan wouldn't be able to eat peacefully for long. A certain cat had seated itself directly in his line of sight and was staring longingly at his fork every time he raised it to his lips.

Aidan: It took a moment for him to notice, but once he did he nudged June. He nods his head in the direction of the cat.

June: June peeked over Aidan, chuckling when she saw Socks. "He's angling for a blueberry. He loves them."

Aidan: "Should I give him one?"

June: "You can, but wait until you're almost done. Otherwise he'll keep begging."

Aidan: Aidan nods. He's learning about her life, what she thinks about on a daily basis, what she sees every day, what she does. This feels so intimate to him. He felt so close to her.

"... I... did have suttin' I wanted to talk to you about."

June: June slowly lowered her fork. Nothing good ever began with that phrase.

"That sounds serious. Is everything okay?"

Aidan: He licks his lips, nudging his food with his fork. "I hope so... Let's finish this up before we get into it."

June: Even though she nodded, she was suddenly not really feeling her breakfast anymore. "Okay," she said, taking another bite anyway.

Aidan: Aidan was aware that he had spoilt things, but it really was a 'now or never' situation. The more he put it off, the worse it would become. The more it would hurt.

He ate as much as he could before he eventually gave the blueberries away to Socks.

June: Socks was all too happy to ignore the tension in the room as long as it meant he got his treat, which he ate with gusto.

Meanwhile, his owner was trying her best to keep smiling and carrying on like everything was fine. "You want more hash browns or something?"

Aidan: "No, thank you." He stands and starts to pick up their plates. "It's okay, I'll wash up."

June: "Oh that's okay, sugar, I can get it."

Aidan: "Nope." He'll lift the plates above his head so that she can't reach them.

June: June chuckled as she struggled to reach them. "No fair, you're way taller than I am!"

Aidan: "Sit down," he gently ordered, moving over to the sink.

June: "Fine, fine. But I get to clean up after our next meal."

Aidan: If there is a next meal.

"Of course." He kisses the top of her head once the dishes have been put down and puts his attention into washing them. Is he stalling? Perhaps.

June: She felt herself relax at the kiss. If he was still showing her affection and planning on staying like they'd agreed, he couldn't be getting ready to tell her anything too serious, right? There was no reason to worry.

Aidan: Once everything was clean and dry, he anxiously tugged at the strings of the jogging bottoms, making his way over to her.

June: June patted the seat next to her. "What's on your mind?" she asked softly.

Aidan: About to take the seat, he stops with one foot forward. No... he sits elsewhere, somewhere safer.

"I've been meanin' t'tell you suttin'... it's important. It could... change everythin'. But I hope it doesn't."

June: Oh. Okay then. Maybe it was really serious after all.

"Aidan, you're making me nervous."

Aidan: "I'm - I'm sorry -" The distance was hurting him, so he ended up moving to sit beside her anyway. He had no will power when it came to her. "You're...beautiful, an' smart, an' strong... an' when you smile my... heart is yours." This is something he wanted to say before saying the thing he wanted to say. The pre-saying of things he wanted to say. "Every day I'm grateful that Quintin doesn't mind his own business an' that my brother is crazy. Of all the places my life could've taken me... it's brought me here. To you. An' I see somethin' in that. I..." He bites his lip. "I haven't been close t'alone like this in a very long time..."

June: Aidan was saying such beautiful things and they were making her so happy but June couldn't help the twinge of sadness they were making her feel. It sounded so much like he was saying goodbye to her and had no idea why.

June took his hand, squeezed it. "I'm grateful to Q and your brother, too. I have no idea how I've gone this long without having you in my life. I'm so, so happy that I got to meet you."

She squeezed his hand again. "You're not alone. Not anymore."

Aidan: Aidan's hand automatically encased theirs. He watches her as she speaks and steals his breath. "I'm happy too." and he knew he wasn't alone anymore. What he did affected her, who he was affected her. He couldn't pretend like it was fine to not let her know the truth.

"But... uh... there's a reason why I've been alone."

June: A part of her didn't care about the reason. It wanted to focus on the now, it wanted to move forward with him.

But the reason was important to him, so it was important to her.

"You can tell me anything," she whispered.

Aidan: He wasn't sure if he could. He was struggling to find the courage. He didn't want this to be the end. He didn't want her to be afraid of him or hate him.

"I wanted t'tell you before we kissed. That way... if it made you change your mind about me it wouldn't hurt so much." That hadn't gone to plan. "The truth is..."

June: Before they kissed.... June tried to wrack her brain for something big enough and serious enough that it would have to be out in the open before two people could kiss but she was coming up blank.

All she could do was offer silent encouragement.

Aidan: Eyes close. Breathe. Breathe. You're doing the right thing. If she leaves you? Good. It's her choice. She should know everything. She should get to make the choice. She's bound to find out sooner or later anyway. It will be pretty fucking obvious when you don't age, Aidan.

He's taking away so many of her dreams. How could she marry him? How could she have children with him? How could she possibly plan a life with him? Oh, but he'll miss her if he has to.

"I'm not human." The words came out though it felt like they hadn't been said. As soon as they come, they're gone, and instantly feel far away. "I'm... immortal."

June: June was silent for what had to be a full minute. Maybe a full decade. She'd misheard him. Surely she'd misheard him.

I'm not human.'

Well that...that just didn't make any sense, did it? How could he not be human? He ate and slept and drank and laughed and had a family. These were all things humans did. He was just a normal man. Flesh, blood, and bone. No tentacles or extra fingers or gills, just a normal human man with a normal lifespan.

She had to have misheard him.

....Right?

"What do you....what?"

Aidan: "I died a long time ago. I was transformed. I... can show you some of the things I can do but I don't -" want to scare or overwhelm you, "None of my brothers are human either. They're all like me. I was born in...  nineteen-oh-eight."

June: "Aidan..." June shook her head. None of this made any sense at all. "How can you be...one hundred and ten years old? That's older than my grandpa. Both my grandpas! How can you have died if you're right here with me?"

She felt his wrist for a pulse, just to reassure herself. "That's impossible, Aidan. What you're saying is impossible."

Aidan: Oh God, he hadn't been expecting her to straight up not believe him. She will feel a pulse briefly before Aidan stands. He finds a spoon and holds it up. With ease he bends it by pushing it with a thumb, and then straightens it, before chucking it into June's lap. In a second he's on the other side of the room, seemingly having taken up no space in between.

Please, listen now.

June: She heaved an internal sigh of relief when she felt the steady thumping beneath her fingers. There, that was her proof.

How could he be dead if she could feel that he was alive?

"Aidan, where--?"

Okay, he was bending one of her spoons. That wasn't such a big...he was just using his thumb. He just bent her spoon using just his thumb like those illusionists on TV.

She picked it up carefully, half expecting it to be a trick, only to yelp in surprise when Aidan teleported across the room.

Aidan: "I can do much more, too. June, I'm not lyin'. I... I'm not human. I'm... much worse. That is why I've been alone." Tell me to leave. Tell me to stay. Just tell me what to do.

June: "No no no no no no, don't," she said quickly, shaking her head. "Don't do any more." She didn't know what she would do if he did more.

Hell, she didn't know what to do with what he'd already done.

All she could do was....sit. And stare.

Aidan: Aidan starts to anxiously tug at his sleeves, right hand at the cuff of his left sleeve, and left at the cuff of his right.

"There's... somethin' else." But judging by that look on her face... "I can wait t'tell you that, though."

June: June just looked at him. What more could there possibly be?

"Might as well tell me now. Get it all over with."

Aidan: He takes a deep breath. That's fair. That's how he had wanted to do it anyway.

"Somethin' happened t'me an' my brothers when we were children. Our ma' died an' we moved to Italy, my da' couldn't take care of four kids an' two twins only a couple months old. He had t'hire people t'take care of us. The people..." He cleared his throat. Suddenly he was very hot. "They were... the men..."

June: Oh, god. He didn't have to finish his sentence. She could fill in the blanks, and it broke her heart.

"Stop," she said quietly. "You don't have to tell me anymore."

June stood and walked over to him, lifted a hand to his cheek. "I'm so sorry, Aidan. I'm so, so sorry."

Aidan: "I-" Has he ever told that to anyone? He couldn't breathe. He couldn't focus. He couldn't... God, he should've known better. He should've protected them all. He should've been the one to tell their father. Not Ronan. The burden had fallen on the least deserving. He'd ignore the tears in his eyes.

"I didn't tell you that jus' so you'd ignore the... first bit." He takes her hand in his.

June: She shook her head. "I don't care about the first bit just now. I...god, Aidan, I'm so sorry." She squeezed his hand, kissed it. "That shouldn't have happened to you. To any of you. You were children, you...I'm so sorry." Someone should've protected you. Someone should've kept you safe.

Aidan: Aidan exhaled, shaking his head because he didn't deserve that. It was his fault it had gone on for so long. It was his fault it had happened...

Tears rolled down his cheeks silently.

June: June gently wiped them away with her thumbs and pulled him into her arms, squeezing him as tightly as she could.

Aidan: Aidan trembled in her arms but soon stiffened enough to hold her back.

"I - I wanted you t'know everythin'..."

June: June nodded. "And now I know."

Aidan: Now she knows.

"I won't decide anythin' for you. I won't lie t'you. I won't keep anythin' from you. I won't hurt you."

June: She gave him a small smile as she caressed his cheek. "That's what makes you a good man, Aidan." She took a deep breath. "I don't...I don't know how to feel about the first bit, or what I should think or do. I don't even know if I entirely believe it but...I know you. Or at least I'm starting to. And while I try to process the whole...not human thing....that's enough for me."

Aidan: He instinctively leaned into the hand, allowing it to revitalise him.

"What d'you need from me?"

June: "Just...some patience? Up until a few minutes ago I thought people who weren't human only existed in fairy tales."

Aidan: "Of course." He hesitantly puts a hand on her... arm. "I'll answer any questions you have."

June: "Right now I just have one."

Aidan: "Hm?" He was filled with dread over what it could be.

June: June smiled. "What do you want to watch first?"

Aidan: Aidan laughs incredulously. It would be presumptuous of him to kiss her, but how he wanted to.

He felt... so relieved. So much more relaxed. Finally the worst was over.

He hoped.

"What-whatever you want."

June: There it was. There was that beautiful laugh. She just had to tug him down for a kiss.

"You're my guest. You get first pick."

Aidan: Ah, this woman. He'd do anything for this woman with lips that tasted like honey and felt like Heaven.

"I..." The kiss had made him light-headed. "I don't remember what the options were."

June: She chuckled softly. "We have all the options. Movie, show, cute animal video marathon."

Aidan:  "... You're the only person I know who'd offer 'animal video marathon' as a genuine option of what to watch." He laughs quietly, "What about... somethin' romantic?"

June: "Cute animal videos are good for the soul!" she laughed. "Your life isn't complete until you see a lizard getting its belly rubbed."

June hummed. "Something romantic....have you ever seen Practical Magic?"

Aidan: "I'm sure I can survive without." He smiled, moving slightly closer to her. "Whatever you suggest the answer will be no."

June: June smiled back, pulling him in for another kiss. "In that case, we're watching Practical Magic. It's got a Halloween vibe to it but who cares."

Aidan: "Mm." Those kisses will send him over the edge one day. "Alright. Let's watch that."

June: "You got it."

June took him into the living room, where several blankets were already waiting for them to snuggle into.

Aidan: The sight made him so excited. It was so simple and sweet. It was so new for him, and so beautiful. He had to take a moment to register that this was his life. He'd be watching a romantic movie beneath blankets with a woman who knew the most important things about him, a kind and gentle woman whom he kisses and adores. It was such a blessing. He had to do everything he could to cherish all the moments they had.

"D'you need me t'get anything?" Movie snacks, alcohol?

June: "Nope, you just sit down and settle in. I will grab us some juice and glasses and leftover blueberries."

She nudged him onto the couch. "Embrace your inner sock."

Aidan: "Inner sock," he echoed, moving to get beneath the blankets and settle down. He'll miss her in the time she goes to get those things.

June: June wasn't gone long, but she was gone long enough for Socks to sneak his furry self into the living room and settle on the arm of the couch closest to Aidan.

Aidan: When she returned, he'd be stroking Socks idly with one hand. June was greeted with a soft smile.

June: Her heart positively melted.  She'd walked in on such a sweet scene. Aidan was smiling, Socks was purring away like a tiny motor boat.

Even with all the revelations that had been made, today was shaping up to be a wonderful day.

"Blueberries and juice," she said, setting everything down on the coffee table before joining Aidan on the couch.

Aidan: The blanket is adjusted around her, ensuring she would be wrapped up comfortably before leaning back. "Thank you."

June: June hummed contentedly as she settled in, snuggling into his side.

"You're very welcome, sugar," she said, pulling up the movie.

Aidan: An arm lifts to settle around her shoulders. He waits for the other to sort out the movie, resting his head on hers.

June: "Okay, so this is a story about these sisters who are witches, and their aunts are witches, too."

Aidan: "... What kind of romance is this?"

June: "The really sweet, fun kind. You'll see."

Aidan: "Between sisters an' aunts?"

June: "No, not between them," she chuckled. "They're just the main characters. Some of them."

Aidan: "... Right." He shifts closer. "Okay."

June: As the two of them got nice and cozy, the story of the Owens sisters and their men and family curse played out on screen.

It was one of June's favorite movies, but she was only half paying attention. The rest of her focus was on the man at her side, and it would remain there regardless of what else the day brought.

#Growing Closer Part II #junelujano #mournus

[surveys-at-your-service]

Survey #92

“i’m a loser baby, so why don’t you kill me?”

five things you associate yourself with: youtubers, meerkats, video games, snakes, photography. what’s your sleeping playlist (give me five songs)? i don't actually listen to music to sleep, but if i did... "lay your world on me" by ozzy osbourne, "nothing else matters" by metallica, "perfectly flawed" by otep, "coma black" by marilyn manson, "nebel" by rammstein. what is something that you’ve always wanted to be/have/get but can never have? a pet meerkat. but one, it's not legal in the u.s., but also, i don't really support keeping them as pets. are you a bee or a butterfly person? a dog or a cat person? butterflies and dogs. what would you like to call your significant other?  i use "hunny" most frequently. what are the names of your pets?  teddy, cali, bentley, venus. do you like to dip your fries or do you like it as is?  depends on my mood. sometimes i like them with ketchup, sometimes not. any special talent that you have? catastrophizing lmao who was your first crush?  not sure of *first*, but the first i remember was dylan. who was your 5th grade teacher?  mrs. whitley. she was also my second grade teacher. who would you kill if you could get away with it? no one. what was your high school mascot? firebird. what was your first screen name? uhhh, flowerourqueen i think? how do you feel about same sex marriage? go for it, dude. what are your favorite pieces of poetry?  anything edgar allan poe. what’s your favorite season? winter. what’s your fatal flaw? i have zero confidence. what color are your pants? orange, black, and white. they're halloween-themed. when was the last time you read a good book?  when i was in the hospital. "rise of the lich king" was great. favorite clothing store?  rebel's market. how often do you go to parties? if you don’t, what do you do instead? i never go to parties. and... stuff? who is the smartest person you know? girt. craziest thing you’ve ever done? go on a ride i was absolutely horrified of at a totally sketchy festival. is there a guy who you can go to with no make-up on in sweatpants and bedhead and he couldn’t care less? yeah, girt. do you and your family pray before eating dinner? no. what’s your favorite video game? "silent hill 2" do you own any form of a gameboy? yes. what’s your favorite store in the mall?  hot topic have you ever gotten a matching piercing or tattoo with someone? yes. do you like corn?  yeah. ever made out in a pool? not that i remember. last vacation destination you went to? the beach. have you ever been to seawo​rld? yes.​​ why were you last hospitalized? suicide attempt. do you prefer analogue or digital clocks?  analogue, aesthetically. are you one to sneak food into movie theaters? hell yeah i am because you're crazy if you pay that much for /movie theater/ food. do you feel more comfortable with a male or female doctor/nurse? a female, because i'm a female. can you write well in cursive?  yes. my normal writing is a mix of cursive. have you ever kissed someone who has previously kissed someone you hated? yep. is your all-time favorite television show still on air? no. would you ever donate blood?  i have before, but i probably wouldn't again. i'm too scared of passing out. are you looking for a boyfriend/girlfriend?  not actively, no. have you ever painted a car?  no. are there any gnomes in your yard?  no. what’s your favorite type of seafood? i only like shrimp. have you ever been to florida?  yes; my grandma lives there. which is harder - walking in the snow or sand? sand. do you think it’s okay to flirt with someone that’s already taken, as long as it goes no further?  no. are you adopted? no. do you say “i love you” even when you don’t mean it? i have to to my mom when she says it to me even if i'm pissed at her and don't feel like i do because if i don't, she pitches a fucking fit. do you prefer wheat or white bread?  wheat. is your profile private? my facebook profile? yeah. do you break things when you are mad?  no. people who do that scare me. is it okay to kiss people if you’re single?  no. that can really result to leading people on. do you want to be single?  i don't *want* to be, but i don't *mind* being single. there's a difference. have a built-in pool in your backyard? no. a trampoline? no. do you go tanning?  no. ever been to a circus?  yes. do you keep magazines by your toilet? no. what are the best kind of girl scout cookies?  those ones that're peanut butter filled and covered with chocolate. do you like to have ice in your drinks? no. waters it down. name a topic you consider yourself knowledgeable with. meerkats. what’s the easiest way to make you smile/laugh? just whisper "top of the mornin' to ya laddies" into my ear ho. okay no seriously idk. do you own any band merch?  yeah. what is your favorite way to eat popcorn? (buttered, salted, plain..) buttered and salted. have you ever faked being sick to get out of something? yep. do you know how to read music? i used to. probably not anymore. what's the saddest video game you've ever experienced? "that dragon, cancer" do you know how to tap dance? i know how to clog. same thing, just different shoes. did you believe in santa clause when you were little? yes. my ex didn't tho and i felt so bad for him lol. what’s your favorite flavor of skittles? red how bad are your hangovers? never had one. have you ever broken a bone? if so, what was the cause of it? not broken, but fractured. i bent my wrist all the way backwards when i fell while skating. which of your five senses would you give up? smell. are there any animals you flat out refuse to touch? slugs, maggots/larvae... what brand of batteries do you usually get? duracell, i think? what super power would you refuse, if it was offered to you, and why? mind reading. what's your favorite discontinued product that you wish would come back? hmmm... who is someone you would never swear in front of? my grandma. have you ever caught a fish? yeah. is there a song that makes you cry every time you hear it?  no. a plant grows on your grave after you die, carrying a piece of your soul - what plant would it be? a weeping willow tree. pen or pencil? pencil. can you run a mile in under 7 minutes?  HA what’s your favorite shampoo/conditioner?  i use suave. are you a fan of the grand theft auto series? no. do you like the beach? not really. i hate the feeling of sand. have you ever sleep walked? no. how about sleep talked? yeah. gum or mints? gum who did you last attend a concert with? mom, nicole, jason. have you ever received nude pictures from someone? no. admit it: you had a neopets account. you're goddamn right i did lmao waffles or pancakes? pancakes. name a food that doesn’t sit well in your stomach.  fancier foods, really. my stomach gets upset fast. what’s your favorite eye color? blue. have you ever been accused of cheating? nope. do you like chinese food? only the fried rice and eggrolls. how big is your bed? queen favorite comedian?  john pinnette, rip<3 do you smoke?  no. does anyone like you?  *shrugs* do long distance relationships work?  sure, some do. pancakes or french toast?  french toast. best thing about winter? snow!! do you have feelings for someone? i always will. do you like sushi? never tried it, never will. i'm perfectly aware i'd hate it. do you like your hair? yeah. it's really healthy. have you ever been prescribed narcotics? yes, xanax. does it take a lot for someone to annoy you?  NOPE do you want your tongue or belly button pierced? i wanted snake eyes on my tongue for a long time, but i learned from a professional piercer that with me having a metal retainer behind my bottom teeth, it's really an awful idea. a belly button piercing would be cute, but i'd need to be much skinnier to look good with one. do you hate it when people smoke around you? very much. can you take a bra off with one hand? no. are you donating your organs? yes. i won't exactly need them, might as well help others. what kind of deodorant do you use? secret. do you sleep on your side, stomach or back?  side, always. ever met any online friends in person?  no, but i want to. do you know how to sew? no. did you ever have to share a room with one of your siblings?  i shared a room with my little sister nicole for years. have you ever been a fan of n*sync? of course i was. but i was and still am more of a bsb gal. do you think you’re fat sometimes? i don't just think i am, i'm fully aware i am. do you think you would be a good parent?  no. are you any good at math? i actually was until the alphabet came into it lmao have you ever been called a hick? no. have you ever rode around in the bed of a pick up truck? ha ha ha bad follow-up question. but yes. can you touch your nose with your tongue? no. were you a big jump roper back in the day? yes. i got very close to being able to double-dutch. can you play pool? i mean i'm not good, but there's nothing hard about hitting a ball with a stick. do you think that you are a good singer? no. what languages can you count to ten or higher in? english, german time for a random question about the person you love/like. what’s his/her favorite food? i'm not entirely sure, but i think pizza. what’s the age difference between your parents? which one is older? two years. mom's older. if someone read your mind right now, what would they hear? chanting of "BILL! BILL! BILL!", mark fischbach's laughter, dank memage, and. y'know. other stuff. do you like egg yolks? NO. have you ever played bejeweled? yes. my mom was totally into it for a while. who would you never give a kidney to?  my mom. at least i'd probably do it; i'd be really fucking scared. my mom only has one kidney to begin with, so if this kidney fails, she's done. have you ever been bitten by a rat?  no. my pet rats have nibbled on me before, but never bit me. do uncrustables look disgusting to you, or is that just me?  i think they're gross, honestly. does blueberry syrup sound good to you, right now? no, ew. is there someone that has really influenced your life? who? my therapists at holly hill and mark fischbach taught me soooo much about positivity. come on, everyone loves cartoons! what’s your favorite one? pokemon, duh. what is the most common misconception with you? i'm antisocial and don't care because i don't talk much. out of the seven deadly sins, which do you feel is the worst? wrath. have you been guilty of that sin a lot? no. i'm not a vicious person. congrats, you’re getting a new car! what color do you choose? i don't drive, but if i did, i want a burnt orange car. be honest: do you illegally download music? yeah. what’s the worst crime someone can commit? rape. do you ever rock out to those 90s songs?  hell yeah. shit i grew up with. what color is the hair of the last person you kissed? black. does the last person you kissed wear glasses? no. who knows the most about you - your friends or your parents?  my ex knows more about me than anything, but between the two, my mom. how many people would you say you’ve been ‘in love’ with? one. ever have detention at school? what for? yes, for too many tardies. if your parents were going to adopt one of your friends, who do you think they would choose? colleen. has anyone ever tried to ruin a relationship you were in? what happened? yes. and the bitch didn't get her wish. were you ever bullied in school? how did you deal with it?  no, thank god. what dog breed is the cutest ever? akita inu. do you or have you ever owned a pair of light up shoes? as a kid, yeah. ha ha i loved them. when was the last time you watched the sun set? hm. it's been too long. i think it was this one time chelsea, colleen, and i went walking around a soccer field. would you ever have an open relationship? HA. no. by society's standards, are you attractive? ha, no. would you let your kid smoke weed? hell no. who was your first friend?  brianna. we were like two. have you ever been to germany?  i wish. what is your middle name?  marie. catherine if you count my catholic middle name. do you have any nieces or nephews? including half-siblings, i have ten or eleven that i know of. i can't remember if katie has three or four, and idk if tiffany has kids. do you know anyone who's in a destructive/unhealthy relationship?  yes. if you had money right now, what's one thing you would buy?  tickets and gas to go see markiplier's show in june, if he plans a show within reasonable driving distance from nc. would you ever own an exotic animal?  depends on *how" "exotic." ex., i'd own a sugar glider or kinkajou. when you decide you’re ready to become a parent, what’s something you would never do that your parents have done in the process of you growing up?  you mean *if* i wanted to be a parent, which i don't? first of all, i'd never, ever, spank my kids. do fucking not teach your kids through fear. who is the funniest person you know?  that i know personally? girt. have you ever kissed underwater? i think so. would you rather have big or small dogs? i like medium-sized dogs. what is your opinion on beards? depends. what is the most fun part of halloween to you? dressing up! do you believe that the moon landing was real or do you think it was fake?  i actually do see why some people think it's fake because there are some VERY compelling pieces of evidence, but i do believe it was real. what is the stupidest thing you’ve ever done? oh, where to begin. what is the worst thing a relative ever did to you? like screamed at me and called me an ungrateful bitch. do you think that everyone is capable of love? no. if you could have a customized phone, what would you put on it? ha ha i really want that cute case that looks like a medicine bottle and is labeled "chill pills" when you were little, what was your favorite game? the original "spyro the dragon" trilogy would you rather sleep on the moon with a stardust dress or on a tiny flower with a sunflower dress? well there's a strange question. but the first. what is one thing that reminds you of childhood? catching fireflies. have you ever talked to someone when they were high? not knowingly. when was the last time you read a full book?  months ago. in february, i started reading "the maze runner," but i didn't finish it. how many brothers do you have? one half-brother. do you like mexican food? no. are you old enough to buy alcohol? oh wow... i just fully fathomed that i am. who’s your favorite disney character? mufasa. have you ever taken the eharmony personality quiz?  HAHAHA GUYS I DID ONCE OUT OF TOTAL CURIOSITY AND IT COULDN'T MATCH ME WITH ANYONE what’s the nickname of your home state?  tar heel state. have you ever thought about your wedding?  yeah. what’s the worse type of weather in your opinion?  scalding hot and humid. ugh. would you rather read or write?  write. would you rather see taylor swift or carrie underwood in concert?  i mean really neither, but i prefer carrie. growing up, did you see your cousins often?  no. none of my cousins live in nc. do you have any posters on your walls? lots. two silent hill ones, one of illidan from wow, one of metallica, one meerkat one, one music-oriented one, a quote by mother teresa, and one of jack skellington. what’s your favorite sad song? probably "fade to black" by metallica. do you personally know any authors? i met a poet while in the hospital once. he was quite talented. what condiments do you like on hamburgers? ketchup, mustard what did you get your dad for his last birthday? nothing. i don't get money and god knows mom would never buy me something for him. do you like foods with coconut in it? no. do you like carrots more if they’re raw, or cooked?  i don't like carrots. what’s a chore you don’t mind doing? vacuuming have you ever been to costco? we don't have costco here. do/did you have to wear a uniform to your high school? no, thank god. how many video games do you own?  A LOT. we have a huge case. do you like the name cindy for a girl?  no. have you ever had a scary encounter with a wild animal? no. what are your point of view of the world? ex. liberal/conservative, spiritual/atheist: mostly conservative, religious. is there an age where being a virgin, you think, would be awkward? ... no? do you find zac efron sexy? eh, not "sexy," but cute. do you think aliens are real? no, but who really cares. be concerned about our planet first. do you have any scars on your body? left shin, chin, and the top of my right wrist. what was your favorite childhood toy? i actually had a bunch i used to play with. two t-rexes, a tricerotops, two crocodiles, two deer, and a few pokemon figurines. i actually still distinctly remember the deer was named kim and the crocodile was named marlin and they were husband and wife lmao. don't argue with my childhood logic. what color is your favorite eye shadow? black. what’s your favorite hairstyle on a guy? i am a fucking 14-year-old bc i have a huge weakness for the emo swoop okay. who was the last person to call you beautiful? tyler. what is your least favorite sour patch kids color? orange. would you take your ex boyfriend/girlfriend back? tyler, no. jason, only if he SERIOUSLY proved himself to me again. are your parents religious? yeah. are you religious?  yes. do you actually read your friends' surveys, or do you just copy paste them and fill them out yourself? i do. it's a good way to learn about people. which is your favorite episode of “i love lucy”? i'm not gonna spell this right, BUT THE VITAMEATAVEGIMAN ONE. name two people who you are closest with?  mom and sara. which one of those two people would you eat first if you were starving?  neither. i'd rather die. there are some things where living would no longer be worth it. do you know what the heck the difference is between the statements “we’re just dating” and “we’re together”? yes. "we're together" is definitely more serious. what would you call your aesthetic? gore, glitchy art, pastels, jellyfish, lace, black, scene/goth/emo style bc LAME, space, vintage favorite songs at the moment? it's been "do i wanna know?" by the arctic monkeys for a long time. favorite movies? my #1 is "alice in wonderland," tim burton's version. i also love "the crazies," "blair witch project 2: book of shadows," "white chicks," etc. what’s the name of the last cat you pet? either lexi (our old cat), or one of anna's (sister's mother-in-law) many cats. have you ever eaten stringed green beans before? yes. when talking on the phone, do you place it against your left or right ear?  right. what’s your favorite flavor of muffin? chocolate chip. does your father have any facial hair? yes. does your sibling have a significant other? katie, bobby, and tiffany, idk. misty and ashley, yes. nicole, no. any idea what you want for your next birthday? another tattoo. have you ever ridden an elephant? no. what parts of your body are shaved? armpits and legs. imagine you are 34 weeks pregnant. you are healthy and you didn’t have any major problems in your pregnancy. would you consider flying from the uk to germany, which takes one hour, without a bad feeling that something could go wrong or the baby decides to come out earlier? no. i probably just wouldn't do it. has anyone ever mistaken you for a satanist? yes, because of my wardrobe, especially in high school. would you take a very casually dropped 'maybe i should just kill myself’ as a warning sign? yes. are you aware that although only about 14 percent of the american total population is black, that about 70 percent of the people in jail in america are black?  why does something tell me that the person who made this survey is racist?? do you agree with the people who say that everyone is bi-sexual even if they don’t want to admit it? absolutely not, that's ridiculous. if you knew that one of your friends was considering suicide, what would you say to them? cliche, but i'd tell them it's not the answer nor is it ever worth it. and i'd call 911 myself. which disney princess do you think is the most beautiful? why? hm. not sure. if you met the celebrity that you most admire, what would be the first thing you’d say to him/her? god bless if i ever met mark, i know i'd tell him first, "if there truly is a god, i want him to be like you." what genre of movie do you typically watch the most? i prefer horror. do you enjoy visiting zoos or wildlife parks? yes to both. if you could bring back any extinct animals, what would you pick? tasmanian tiger. would you ever eat a traditional "pet", like cat, dog or guinea pig? no. what kind of wild animals do you see where you live? squirrels, opposums, raccoons, whitetail deer... what do you think of animals like orcas/dolphins being kept in captivity for entertainment? i don't support it. which one of your friends have you known the longest? colleen. are you good at making new friends? no. can you describe what was going through your mind during your last kiss? it only lasted a second, but "i really don't know if i should be doing this." how many friends do you have, whose name begins with g? one: girt do you like the hunger games? i've read the first book and seen the first movie. it's fine. are you any good with kids? no. like i shit you not i once pet my niece's head lmao would you ever like to meet marilyn manson? no. he's one of my all-time favorite artists, but i don't want my already-poor image of him to be further defiled. love him as a musician, but he's honestly a pretty shit person. would you rather hold hands or link arms with your significant other?  hold hands. do you always blow-dry your hair after you wash it? never. i would be there for a looong time. my hair is super super thick and takes at least ten minutes to fully blow-dry. have you ever witnessed a birth? only cat births. i never want to experience a human birth. it's not magical, it's gross. do you buy eggnog around the holidays? eggnog's gross. have you ever been on a farm? yes. last three texts on your phone are from? mom, sara, ashley. did you ever have braces? i did for too long because we didn't have the money to take them off. thank god they're gone now. what was the hardest language you’ve ever tried to learn? latin. that shit was like impossible. who is the prettiest person you’ve ever met? my friend alon. what does your voice sound like? mumbly, deep. what event did you last dress up for? who went to that event? my sister's wedding. and lots of people. do you believe prayer really works? honestly don't know. i kinda think it's just a display of faith to talk to god. idk if it really influences him to "do" anything. Nope. does it bother you when dogs lick you? no. do you feed your pets human food?  they'll sometimes get a little piece. what’s the strangest or rarest creature you’ve seen at a zoo? i think i've been to a zoo that had a tiger once... do you think violence in video/computer games influences the nation? no. that claim is ludicrous. i’m sure you know of the gamer fad on youtube. who’s your favorite? markiplier, easily. but i also like pewdiepie and 8bitryan. deserts: dreary or beautiful? beautiful. ever seen a panda? no. ever actually seen a snake in the wild? yes. i've seen rattlesnakes, water moccasins, and others. have you ever had a PET snake? what kind? yes. i've now had/have three ball pythons. ever had an encounter with a snapping turtle? they’re scary! yes. my sister actually caught a huge one while fishing. dad sadly had to just cut the line. wherever you live, have you ever seen your national bird? once. ever had a reptile as a pet that you had to feed crickets? yes, a chinese water dragon. ever play hearthstone?  yeah. didn't really get into it. ever gone hunting? biggest thing you’ve ever shot? no. i don't really support hunting for sport. how about fishing? biggest thing you’ve ever caught? lots of times. pretty big river catfish. coolest place you’ve ever been fishing? ohhhhh! there's this place downriver of a dam that's deep in the woods. like, DEEP in the woods. it's sooo fucking beautiful. what’s in a camel’s back? fat. steve irwin: foolish for messing around with animals or brave for teaching us? he was fucking amazing. don’t you think it’s a bit deceptive to wear a push-up bra? *rolls eyes* do you truly believe we came from chimps?  nope. well, what do you think of extra bones and even organs in our bodies? why do we have them? do your research and you'll know that our "extra" organs actually have purpose; i can't remember which, i think the appendix though, is vital to an fetus's existence. as for bones, i honestly don't know, but i don't believe that automatically points to evolution. weirdest video game you’ve ever played? i mean i'd say the whole "silent hill" series is pretty damn weird. what’s your favorite kind of penguin?  emperor. don’t you think we’re spending too much money on exploring the mere theory of climate change? "theory." get outta here. everyone always wants to know your favorite animal. what’s your SECOND favorite? probably rhesus macaques. i just really like social animals. would you marry someone of a different religion? depends on the religion, honestly. religion plays a key role in determining your core beliefs. favorite song by the band the offspring?  "pretty fly for a white guy," probably. maybe "self esteem." have you had your wisdom teeth out? no, but i have one on my bottom right that technically needs out, but after hearing how painful that procedure is, i reeeaaally don't wanna do that. your appendix?  no. do you like the idea of promise rings in relationships?  sure. not quite ready to promise marriage, but promise to be ready some day. would you date someone 8 years older than you?  yeah. what is your secret weapon to lure the opposite sex? lmao what secret weapon? do you have a favorite name? what is it? alessandra. do you watch scary movies on your own?  yeah. scary movies just don't affect me. have you ever had to have stitches?  yes, in my chin. what was your favorite pokemon as a child?  charmander.

#survey #quiz #questions #asks #answered

[cakesandcries]

A big hello to all reading this, and I hope you’re having a good week so far!

I am very excited to write my first ever travel blog post, and that too about the very enchanting Kauai. Our vacation was in lieu of a long due vacation for my husband and I. It was also very special to us, because our one-year wedding anniversary was a few days earlier on November 27. It felt like a celebration for us to vacation in a blissful, warm island outside this rainy city we call home.

Kauai is one of the eight major islands in Hawaii, and is known fondly as ‘The Garden Island’. It truly stands for what it is called, as it is lush with green beauty and the deep blue Pacific Ocean. And one more unique fact to Kauai is the number of roosters and hens that populate the island-they are everywhere!

PLANNING BEFOREHAND

We planned our vacation details mid-October, so that we had a few days to settle on our accommodation and activities. While looking for flight tickets, I did check the price ranges on Google Flights to figure out when was a good time to fly out. Comparing a few dates in December, we decided on the first week because the flight tickets were quite affordable and the weather was also good in Kauai then.

We also booked a car rental service online in October, because the best way to move around in the island is to drive by yourself to places. We partook the service of ‘Avis’ car rentals, who are located within the airport complex. You can choose from car model options, and we settled for an economy model because we didn’t have too much of luggage. We were taken by shuttle to the company’s store, filled out details and then we were handed our car keys for the next few days.

When it came to accommodation, we booked our 8-nights-9-days long vacation stay at ‘Aston Islander On The Beach’, which was about 15 minutes away from the airport. My husband arranged our vacation stay at the resort through AirBnB, where the prices for the resort rooms had more discounts.

We had also paid and booked two activities beforehand through hawaiidiscount.com, which were kayaking and a dinner cruise respectively. We decided to explore more activity options after we landed in Kauai, and there’s more on that as you read on.

AND SO, THE VACATION BEGAN!

TRAVEL- We departed from Seattle on December 2 and reached Lihue Airport in Kauai roughly 6 hours later, with an hour’s layover in between at the San Francisco Airport. We flew with United Airlines, and the flight experience overall was fairly pleasant. For travel within the island, we drove around in our rental car. We did not see any taxis anywhere, and almost all tourists were seen opting for rental cars.

OUR RESORT- Our stay at ‘Aston Islander On The Beach’ was very comfortable, since we could explore many places in opposite directions without much travel hassle. The resort was well maintained, and our room had a pool and ocean view from the balcony. There is a food and shopping complex called ‘Coconut Marketplace’ right outside our resort- we were sorted. Our lunch and coffee visits were super convenient after tiring trips outside, thanks to two awesome places right outside the resort called ‘IMUA Coffee Roasters’ and ‘Sleeping Giant Grill’.

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    MISCELLANEOUS SHOPPING- There was a Safeway about 0.6 miles from our resort, where we did go often to buy small miscellaneous food items and some medicine. We bought snacks to munch on the way, because it was not the easiest to get food in the afternoon post lunch. We also did buy medicine for sea-sickness (Dramamine), since I am very prone to motion sickness.

CLOTHES & ACCESSORIES TO CARRY- The weather was quite warm and in the 70 degree range when we visited. And so, we carried a lot of summer clothes to Kauai- think shorts, swimsuits, tank tops, and knee length dresses. Keep your SPF in hand at all times, a mosquito repellent cream, some light makeup and jewelry to enhance your beachy, natural aura in Kauai.

I carried a pair of sandals for general sightseeing, flip flops for the beach and my sports shoes for physical activities. My husband carried a pair of flip flops for casual days out, and his hiking shoes for rough and tough activities. In luggage terms, we carried two carry-on bags, one large tote and one backpack.

FOOD & RESTAURANTS- We are vegetarian, but had no dearth of options while eating out. We ate breakfast almost every day at the local restaurants, offering pancakes, waffles, omelets, toast and coffee as signature dishes. Lunch and dinner would vary day-to-day, but we did try a lot of restaurants and dishes in that one week span. Here are my restaurant recommendations in Kauai, other than the usual Subway and Starbucks-

Sleeping Giant Grill

Verde

IMUA Coffee Roasters

Kountry Kitchen

Ono Family Restaurant

Shivalik Indian Cuisine

Street Burger

Monico’s Taquerio

Bangkok Beach Grill & Bar

Bobby V’s Italian Restaurant

Pho Kauai

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PLACES & ACTIVITIES IN KAUAI- Kauai is a small island with a size of 552 square miles, meaning we were literally and figuratively driving in circles. From our resort, we had travel on two opposing directions majorly. The places we explored were mostly a lot of beaches in Kauai, quite naturally.

But the interesting point to note was that while there was the sea on one side of the road, there were green carpets of grass and looming mountains on the other side.

There we were in between on the road, driving amidst the coastal scenery unfurling around us. The air was fresh and heady, the winds were pleasant, the weather was warm- we were soaking in nature’s beauty, like human sponges.

There are places to visit other than the plentiful beach parks, with the grounding element being ‘all out nature’s extravaganza’. Here are the places we visited and the activities we enjoyed doing in Kauai.

1) Queen’s Bath

We visited this tide pool on the island of Kauai a day after our arrival, and drove to Princeville to do so. Queen’s Bath is described as a sink hole surrounded by igneous rocks. The first thing to do is find a parking spot here, because it is not easy at all in the limited space allotted. We luckily got ours after circling around the neighborhood one time, and then we decided to do a short walk to the tide pool. But, not everything turned out as we expected.

Firstly, the whole walking path was marshy and swamped with wet, sinking mud due to the previous week’s rains. Secondly, my choice of attire for that day was clearly not appropriate for the activity (the activity that followed is another story altogether). After attempting twice to walk through the swamp, I gave up and my husband decided to hike instead to Queen’s Bath.

Once he was back, he told me that I made a good decision not hiking to the tide pool with him. It was dangerous and slippery due to the track conditions, and I would have been down and dirty in the most un-sexy way ever. But he did click some pictures down there, which you can see below.

We then proceeded to do the next activity, that is the hardest hike I’ve done till today.

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2) Hanakapiai Falls

God do I want to smack my own head silly for taking a hike here, while WEARING A DRESS of all things. But you know what, I did this terrifying but awesome hike in that black calf-length jersey number and I live to tell the tale. My husband even told me many times that he was amazed by how I managed to do a tough hike in a dress. Gal Gadot, looks like you’ve got competition. *lol, who am I kidding*

All the blabbering aside, the shorter hike was 3.6 miles roundtrip atop a mountain’s curving paths. The full hike would be 8.2 miles, which I can’t even begin to comprehend doing, ever. As we climbed up the mountain and went into even swampier, dirtier and breath-catching territory, we chanced upon beautiful sea cliff views. The ocean was so blue, the wind was soothing and cool and the dense trees framed the whole area beautifully. There were even views of green hills rolling around us, all so picturesque.

The terrain was rocky, very muddy and very dirty; our shoes were almost destroyed at the end of it. I held onto rocks for support while crossing tiny waterfalls and marshy ponds, and questioned myself umpteen times for doing this hike to the beachy falls-that-were-promised at the end of it.

We did not make it to the beach at the very end, because there was a large waterfall running in between. And the only way I could have crossed it without flashing everyone was by being carried by my husband, Bahubali-style.

Bahubali-style carrying, and my husband would be in the hospital if the above situation happened.

But on a serious note, there were some astounding views to contend with. And I will show you them below.

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3) Maniniholo Dry Caves

This was a duck-in and duck-out stop on the way to Hanakapiai Falls, with very little to see. But it does look intriguing from the outside, with the come-hither grunginess. On the inside, there is nothing but a short walk on sand inside the dim caverns of the cave. There are some odd weeds growing here and there, but that’s all there is to it.

On the plus side, I did get a cool twin-me shot suggested by my husband!

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4) Wailua River & Secret Falls

The next day, we went on a supremely cool kayaking and hiking expedition in Wailua River State Park. We first congregated with our fellow explorers and our guide, Thomas. He made good conversation with the both of us, talking to us about Kauai, politics and his journalist experiences.

This was my first time kayaking, and it was truly an amazing experience. We rowed the length and breadth of two miles to and two miles fro, with sunny skies and dancing trees around the river. After the kayaking, we did a short one mile hike to Secret Falls. This falls can only be reached by foot, and we hiked through the forest to get there. We had a simple but delicious lunch of a vegetable sandwich, pineapples and cake slices right by the gushing waterfall.

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5) Spouting Horn

In the evening, we visited Spouting Horn in Poipu, made up of a formation of rocks  blowing out a strong gush of ocean water every few seconds. We watched the sunset, and then headed back to our resort to retire for the day.

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6) National Tropical Botanical Garden

The next day, we headed to National Tropical Botanical Garden in the south shore of Kauai for a relaxing day ahead. It was a 2.5 hour tour through the artistic architecture called Allerton Garden, created by John and Robert Allerton. This place is famous for having movies such as ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘Pirates of the Carribean’ shot here.

But there was more to the garden than its famous movie leanings- its beautiful flora bursting within its expanses. There were breadfruit trees, elephant leaf trees, bamboo trees, Moreton bay fig trees, mother-in-law’s tongue plants (I swear I’m not making it up) and many more. There are open-aired rooms/garden spaces which were used for hosting parties by the Allertons, a hunter’s resting spot with a statue of goddess Diana, and bronze mermaid statues with a water path that can slow down your heart beat to 55 bpm in 10 minutes. We were also given a background of the interesting history behind NTBG and Allerton Garden, as well as about the flora. It was truly a calming experience, but the ticket costs are pricey for this relaxed stroll through the garden.

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7) Opaeka’a Falls

Yet again, we made a quick visit to Opaeka’a Falls in the evening and saw the 151-foot waterfalls cascading from million-years-old volcanic eruptions. There is no network reception here, so do take any important calls before you are set to visit here.

8) Kilauea Lighthouse

December 6 dawned bright on us, and we drove to the much-clamored Kilauea Lighthouse in the morning. It is atop the edge of a cliff near the sea, and the views are gorgeous from here. We paid an entry fee of $5 each via cash (no card payment here) and walked around the lighthouse. We could hear the ocean singing and crashing on the jagged rocks, and the salty breeze playing with my hair. There is a tour of the lighthouse, but we didn’t opt for it. We just kicked back and let the sea take over us.

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9) Waimea Canyon Lookout

To be fair, the lookout is only a small attraction next to the Waimea Canyon State Park. But my toes were hurting a lot during the trip, and I was unable to walk even up and down the stairs without wincing in pain. So we skipped the hike, and instead took a lot of photos of the red-hued curvy, majestic mountains stretching as far as the eye could see.

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10) Ocean Raft & Snorkel-Napali Coast

We went for a 5-hour ocean rafting and snorkeling expedition at Napali Coast on December 7. Early in the morning, both of us and fellow explorers sat on the raft and set sail into the blazing blue ocean. The wind was cold and whipping my hair, but boy did I enjoy it! We were surrounded by stretches of blue ocean, riding the waves and looking at the faraway rocky formations that could not be reached by land or even ocean.

We stopped for snorkeling, but I do not know how to swim. So with the guidance of the lifeguard, I did get into the Pacific ocean and move around a little bit. I donned my snorkeling glasses and looked into the deep water below. I saw coral reefs and fishes in the calm, mysterious ocean depths. Unfortunately, we forgot to take our camera underwater to take pictures. 😦 But the memories, they swim in my head.

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11) Kauai Hindu Monastery

In the heart of Kauai, the last place we expected to find was a Hindu temple. But our souls were truly happy after visiting the Kauai Hindu Monastery in Kapaa on December 8. This is a Saivite temple, dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva and principles of Saivism. The guru at the temple whom we even saw sitting inside, is Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami.

At the entrance, there was a short history of the temple and some sarongs to tie for those wearing short clothes before entering the temple. There was a statue of Lord Ganesha, Lord Murugan sitting inside his banyan abode and a beautiful shrine for Lord Shiva and other deities. There was a pool to wash the feet before and after entering the temples, and beautiful flowers blooming everywhere. We felt like we were transported back home in India, so authentic was the temple.

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12) Napali Coast Dinner Cruise

We boarded Capt Andy’s cruise boat in the afternoon, which set forth for a 4 hour Napali Coast sail. We whipped through the blue ocean, soaking up the warm sea breeze and clicking pictures. The dinner was served at around 5 PM, which comprised of a tasty salad, bread, a vegan patty, another vegetarian side dish and cheesecake. We didn’t eat much, because we were afraid we might throw up fast if we did that. But the food was tasty in itself, and we were even offered extras to take home if we wanted to. Since I took Dramamine before the cruise, I didn’t have motion sickness and it was a smooth sail. 🙂

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13) A Few Short Visits

We did stop by a few more places for a few minutes, which the pictures would just about explain better.

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14) Cycling Around Town

A day before our departure, we hired two cycles for the day at $10 per person. We drove around the resort, covering many beaches on the way. It was truly enjoyable, and I got a good bit of workout in there as well. Cycling is a common tourist activity in Kauai, I guess, because I saw many others of all age groups doing the same.

Before we knew it, we had cycled 11.5 miles in and around our resort! Here are a few memories we captured while cycling around Kauai’s shores.

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TRAVEL TIPS IN KAUAI

These are travel tips I would suggest based on personal experience:

1. Carry some cash in hand, up to $100. This might save you time from going to an ATM and then back again to the tourist spot or cafe.

2. Carry sea sickness medicine from your hometown/city, or buy it later in Kauai. But don’t scrimp on this step, because it really comes in handy if you’re going snorkeling or cruise tours.

3. Restaurants close by 3 PM for lunch, and traveling around doesn’t always ensure you get lunch on time. So buy some snacks from a local supermarket in Kauai. There is a Walmart near Lihue Airport, and a Safeway close to Aston Islander resort. There are also local, small stores where you can pick up small nibbles on the go.

4. Wear sunscreen at all times, even in the evening. My face has tanned unevenly, with a darker forehead and nose bridge as a result of inadequate sun protection.

5. PLEASE carry a mosquito repellent cream. My arms and legs were covered with mosquito bites, that are still taking their time to completely fade away.

6. Hiking shoes, hiking shoes aaaand hiking shoes. Don’t wear tennis shoes or trainers while going on a hike, because you might end up injuring your toes like I did. The hiking trails are rougher in Kauai than in the city, and hiking shoes will do you complete justice.

_______________________________________________________________

I hope this post was enjoyable and informative to read, because I really enjoyed writing it for y’all. Have you visited or would you consider visiting Kauai or any other island in Hawaii? Do you have any awesome places to suggest for the next vacation? Do let me know in the comments section below. 🙂

Until next time, see you!

  Vacation Story & A Travel Guide To Kauai. A big hello to all reading this, and I hope you're having a good week so far!

#hawaii #indian blogger #kauai #travel #travel diaries #travel guide #vacation

[prague-lematic]

wow wow wow! This weekend has got to be one of my most favorites. Matt Hollis, Corbin Elliot, Kellie Seitz, Olivia Scrivner and I headed out to the Netherlands for our “gals weekend” as we ended up calling it. Olivia and I had planned just enough in Amsterdam so we’d have some structure and just a little that we’d feel free and go with the flow- the perfect mix for a weekend trip. We left Thursday evening and arrived at the house around 10:30 PM. The airport was about 45 minutes away from the house, so we uber vanned to the house which by the way, was a magical experience. 10/10 recommend the uber vans. So much room! We were all pleasantly surprised and happy when we came upon what would be the house we’d be staying in. Shout out to Olivia for having the coolest family friends of them all, who live in Noordwijk, Netherlands (a city in the west of the Netherlands), just an hour from Amsterdam and right on the beach. It was down this little beach street and was by far the most modern house on it. As we stayed through out the weekend, we noticed more and more bikers down the road stopping to point at it or take pictures. We stayed in the guest house/room, which was above their garage. The family was nice enough to leave us breakfast for every day and chardonnay (bless). We made mimosas and had croissants and found snacks on the second day which was the best. She even left us stroopwafels (YUM YUM YUM). That first evening though, we really just admired the place we got to stay in and peeked around. We had our own kitchenette and bathroom and it was spacious. Felt like a little home. The next day bright and early we took the bus to the train station and trained into Amsterdam… we underestimated how much time it would take to get there so when we arrived in Amsterdam at 10:20 and had Anne Frank house time slot ending at 10:15 you can imagine us sweating, literally running through the city of Amsterdam to be able to get inside. We were lucky enough to get inside after being 20 minutes late. It was absolutely surreal getting to walk around where the Frank family hid for 2 years. You could see her magazine cut outs on her bedroom wall and more. You weren’t allowed to take pictures, so I did buy a few postcards. It was just crazy what this family did to stay alive and how quiet they had to be. You could see family grocery lists and at the end of the visit, you even saw her actual diary. Through out the visit, each room had a quote or two from Anne’s diary. Absolutely crazy. It was amazing to live through this young girls life and perspective at this time, knowing her and her family would be living similar lives to those people if they hadn’t been hiding. The diary makes Anne so normal and so young, but so brave too. She writes about so many big world things and issues at that time. It was truly amazing and sad to be there and be able to see it all and all the history along with it. I think one person at the movie at the end said it best: “Her (Anne’s) would haves are our opportunities.” We must feel so lucky and so fortunate to live how we live today and to be free. We must do everything and see everything we can, because she would have liked to. It just makes you feel lucky and saddened for the history. After the house, we all caught our breath and got brunch on a canal. FIRST OF ALL, the canals are everywhere and chained with bikes along them and so beautiful. I could’ve sat at the canals all day and most people did. Lots of people were sun bathing on the edge of them. Just lovely. We all ate up some big meals and headed back towards the center/Dam Street where the carnival was. There was carnival food and traditional Dutch desserts. Yum. And endless rides. We chose to hop on our river/canal cruise. There was so many that it was almost hard to find ours but low and behold, there it was! the orange canal cruise boat labled “Lovers Canal Cruise.” My crew wouldn’t let me live that one down though I swear it wasn’t called that online. It turned out to be mostly families and just regular tourists so it was great. It was the most glorious day with the sun peeking through the clouds and the water shining and a light breeze off the water. Perfection. We learned about the different buildings and the architecture there. We learned about the tilting buildings along the canals, which were the end results of them being built in mud and more which ended up rotting. It was interesting because not all the buildings lined up because of this, but it was oddly beautiful and different. Amsterdam was already one of my favorite places. The air seemed fresher, though of course marijuana was everywhere but the air was cleaner (didn’t smell any cigarettes! hallelujah!). The people were SO SO kind. The ladies who printed our “boarding passes” for the canal cruise were so warm and honest and wanted to know how we liked Amsterdam. I could’ve sat and talked to them forever. After the canal cruise, we all headed back to the carnival in Dam Square and indulged in the desserts. Olivia got little pancakes, Matt got something dutch and Corbin and I got warm waffles with strawberries and chocolate. YUM. Ugh I can just taste it all now. We walked around for awhile, saw some coffee shops and cafes and then Matt and Corbin went on a carnival ride. After this, we went to a bar and just hung out. We were all pretty tired so around 10 PM we hopped back on the train and did backwards what we had done transportation wise this morning. What a long day! We all passed out when we got back, of course first watching the boys play “Magic.” Some guy they’re obsessed with! None of us had wifi that night so we talked for awhile and just enjoyed each others company before passing out. The next day we slept in a bit and then figured out our biking situation. With the help of the housekeeper (love him, miss him and his sass) he got the bikes from the garage for us. We quickly realized the garage had a car elevator AKA coolest thing I’ve ever seen. Olivia and I were able to fit on the two bikes and the rest of the crew headed to a bike shop and got bikes for the entire day for just 10 euros. We were ready for Lisse to see the flowers. Today was the most scenic day in awhile, probably ever when I look back at my life. It was like a painting everywhere you looked through out the 40 minute bike ride there and back. I couldn’t biked around forever if it wasn’t for how sore my legs were on the way back hahah. First of all, thank you Netherlands for being the most beautiful and having the most amazing bike paths everywhere literally and also for letting the bikers have the right of way. So crazy to me! Not a single car blew by me at any intersection- so sweeeeet. We enjoyed the fields of flowers and the sunshine and the glorious breeze before stopping at the first restaurant we saw right on the edge of Lisse. We all got some grub before heading back. Everyone who rented a bike had to rush back to get it there on time, so Olivia and I took our time getting back, stopping once again at the flower fields and just enjoying the peacefulness of the ride. When we all caught up by the hotels in the center of Noordwijk we decided it was beach time. Naturally, I was the happiest little clam of them all once we arrived there. We’d passed it numerous times, but feeling the sand in between my toes and hearing the crash of the waves and the lapping was unlike anything else. I ugly cried for about 10 minutes before composing myself and dipping my toes in the nippy ocean. Wow, had I missed that. After a long bike ride in the warm sun there is nothing like the cold ocean. I walked into my knees, not caring that my jeans were getting soaked. Olivia coming from Cali was also the happiest on the beach. We both ran around for awhile before heading back to the house. We all headed back to get all dressed up for our beach dinner reservation. We had the nicest dinner of all time- but seriously. We planned it perfectly for sunset and man oh man was the peachey-orange/pink/light purple sunset the most beautiful over the ocean. There were dangly lights outside and couches and swings. I was in love. The staff was super chill and beachy too. I could’ve sat there all evening. We all got drinks and dinner and talked for hours there. It was candle lit as well so, so cute. I miss the beach already!! Sunday was our last day in the Netherlands, so after our scenic day we opted to head back into Amsterdam to do a few more touristy things and grab some souvenirs. When we first arrived, we decided it was time to head to the all famous iamsterdam sign! It was about a 30 minute walk from the central train station. It was strategic planning how to climb the letters and then make sure you all got on before other tourists. It was tricky and busy! I climbed to the top of the A happily, but with a little help from my friends of course. After that, we walked around to find the Fault in Our Stars bench. It had locks on it and people had signed it with quotes from the book/movie and just lovers initials. It was adorable. Kellie and I got the tacky picture of us pretending to be the characters. Gotta love us. Then we headed to this cute Heineken outdoor seating café/restaurant and got the BEST TOASTED SANDWICHES EVER. It was another perfect day and I actually even got a little sunburnt. Felt good though. I need more sun! After that, we stopped for souvenirs and for the carnival. I loaded up on souvenirs, because this was one of my favorite places I’ve been. Bring me back!!!! I hope to bring my family here one day, that would be great. At the carnival, Olivia, Matt and I decided to do the swings. Though, they weren’t just ordinary swings. They went 60 meters high up into the air, looking over all of Amsterdam. They didn’t appear to be going fast, though you’re up there for a good whole 5 minutes which is a long time when you get up there and realize how scary heights actually are. Olivia and I sang some Christmas carols to make it through and often just repeated back and forth “i’m scared” but Matt got a good video of the view while we were up there, so it was worth it hahah. All in all, a cool experience. After that, we sat at a bar where the bartender asked me if I was from New Zeland and then Canada once he heard my accent (weird) and we got yummy strawberry margaritas. So good. Wish we could’ve stayed longer but our flight was calling us. We got there with about 20 minutes to spare and then off we were to Prague. The sunglass squad/gals weekend was incredible. I will remember it fondly. Amsterdam, I love you with my whole heart. Noordwijk, you are just beautiful and made it feel like home. XOXO I will be back!

[prague-lematic]

Noordwijk, Netherlands, Amsterdam, Netherlands & Lisse, Netherlands

wow wow wow! This weekend has got to be one of my most favorites. Matt Hollis, Corbin Elliot, Kellie Seitz, Olivia Scrivner and I headed out to the Netherlands for our “gals weekend” as we ended up calling it. Olivia and I had planned just enough in Amsterdam so we’d have some structure and just a little that we’d feel free and go with the flow- the perfect mix for a weekend trip. We left Thursday evening and arrived at the house around 10:30 PM. The airport was about 45 minutes away from the house, so we uber vanned to the house which by the way, was a magical experience. 10/10 recommend the uber vans. So much room! We were all pleasantly surprised and happy when we came upon what would be the house we’d be staying in. Shout out to Olivia for having the coolest family friends of them all, who live in Noordwijk, Netherlands (a city in the west of the Netherlands), just an hour from Amsterdam and right on the beach. It was down this little beach street and was by far the most modern house on it. As we stayed through out the weekend, we noticed more and more bikers down the road stopping to point at it or take pictures. We stayed in the guest house/room, which was above their garage. The family was nice enough to leave us breakfast for every day and chardonnay (bless). We made mimosas and had croissants and found snacks on the second day which was the best. She even left us stroopwafels (YUM YUM YUM). That first evening though, we really just admired the place we got to stay in and peeked around. We had our own kitchenette and bathroom and it was spacious. Felt like a little home. The next day bright and early we took the bus to the train station and trained into Amsterdam... we underestimated how much time it would take to get there so when we arrived in Amsterdam at 10:20 and had Anne Frank house time slot ending at 10:15 you can imagine us sweating, literally running through the city of Amsterdam to be able to get inside. We were lucky enough to get inside after being 20 minutes late. It was absolutely surreal getting to walk around where the Frank family hid for 2 years. You could see her magazine cut outs on her bedroom wall and more. You weren’t allowed to take pictures, so I did buy a few postcards. It was just crazy what this family did to stay alive and how quiet they had to be. You could see family grocery lists and at the end of the visit, you even saw her actual diary. Through out the visit, each room had a quote or two from Anne’s diary. Absolutely crazy. It was amazing to live through this young girls life and perspective at this time, knowing her and her family would be living similar lives to those people if they hadn’t been hiding. The diary makes Anne so normal and so young, but so brave too. She writes about so many big world things and issues at that time. It was truly amazing and sad to be there and be able to see it all and all the history along with it. I think one person at the movie at the end said it best: “Her (Anne’s) would haves are our opportunities.” We must feel so lucky and so fortunate to live how we live today and to be free. We must do everything and see everything we can, because she would have liked to. It just makes you feel lucky and saddened for the history. After the house, we all caught our breath and got brunch on a canal. FIRST OF ALL, the canals are everywhere and chained with bikes along them and so beautiful. I could’ve sat at the canals all day and most people did. Lots of people were sun bathing on the edge of them. Just lovely. We all ate up some big meals and headed back towards the center/Dam Street where the carnival was. There was carnival food and traditional Dutch desserts. Yum. And endless rides. We chose to hop on our river/canal cruise. There was so many that it was almost hard to find ours but low and behold, there it was! the orange canal cruise boat labled “Lovers Canal Cruise.” My crew wouldn’t let me live that one down though I swear it wasn’t called that online. It turned out to be mostly families and just regular tourists so it was great. It was the most glorious day with the sun peeking through the clouds and the water shining and a light breeze off the water. Perfection. We learned about the different buildings and the architecture there. We learned about the tilting buildings along the canals, which were the end results of them being built in mud and more which ended up rotting. It was interesting because not all the buildings lined up because of this, but it was oddly beautiful and different. Amsterdam was already one of my favorite places. The air seemed fresher, though of course marijuana was everywhere but the air was cleaner (didn’t smell any cigarettes! hallelujah!). The people were SO SO kind. The ladies who printed our “boarding passes” for the canal cruise were so warm and honest and wanted to know how we liked Amsterdam. I could’ve sat and talked to them forever. After the canal cruise, we all headed back to the carnival in Dam Square and indulged in the desserts. Olivia got little pancakes, Matt got something dutch and Corbin and I got warm waffles with strawberries and chocolate. YUM. Ugh I can just taste it all now. We walked around for awhile, saw some coffee shops and cafes and then Matt and Corbin went on a carnival ride. After this, we went to a bar and just hung out. We were all pretty tired so around 10 PM we hopped back on the train and did backwards what we had done transportation wise this morning. What a long day! We all passed out when we got back, of course first watching the boys play “Magic.” Some guy they’re obsessed with! None of us had wifi that night so we talked for awhile and just enjoyed each others company before passing out. The next day we slept in a bit and then figured out our biking situation. With the help of the housekeeper (love him, miss him and his sass) he got the bikes from the garage for us. We quickly realized the garage had a car elevator AKA coolest thing I've ever seen. Olivia and I were able to fit on the two bikes and the rest of the crew headed to a bike shop and got bikes for the entire day for just 10 euros. We were ready for Lisse to see the flowers. Today was the most scenic day in awhile, probably ever when I look back at my life. It was like a painting everywhere you looked through out the 40 minute bike ride there and back. I couldn’t biked around forever if it wasn’t for how sore my legs were on the way back hahah. First of all, thank you Netherlands for being the most beautiful and having the most amazing bike paths everywhere literally and also for letting the bikers have the right of way. So crazy to me! Not a single car blew by me at any intersection- so sweeeeet. We enjoyed the fields of flowers and the sunshine and the glorious breeze before stopping at the first restaurant we saw right on the edge of Lisse. We all got some grub before heading back. Everyone who rented a bike had to rush back to get it there on time, so Olivia and I took our time getting back, stopping once again at the flower fields and just enjoying the peacefulness of the ride. When we all caught up by the hotels in the center of Noordwijk we decided it was beach time. Naturally, I was the happiest little clam of them all once we arrived there. We’d passed it numerous times, but feeling the sand in between my toes and hearing the crash of the waves and the lapping was unlike anything else. I ugly cried for about 10 minutes before composing myself and dipping my toes in the nippy ocean. Wow, had I missed that. After a long bike ride in the warm sun there is nothing like the cold ocean. I walked into my knees, not caring that my jeans were getting soaked. Olivia coming from Cali was also the happiest on the beach. We both ran around for awhile before heading back to the house. We all headed back to get all dressed up for our beach dinner reservation. We had the nicest dinner of all time- but seriously. We planned it perfectly for sunset and man oh man was the peachey-orange/pink/light purple sunset the most beautiful over the ocean. There were dangly lights outside and couches and swings. I was in love. The staff was super chill and beachy too. I could’ve sat there all evening. We all got drinks and dinner and talked for hours there. It was candle lit as well so, so cute. I miss the beach already!! Sunday was our last day in the Netherlands, so after our scenic day we opted to head back into Amsterdam to do a few more touristy things and grab some souvenirs. When we first arrived, we decided it was time to head to the all famous iamsterdam sign! It was about a 30 minute walk from the central train station. It was strategic planning how to climb the letters and then make sure you all got on before other tourists. It was tricky and busy! I climbed to the top of the A happily, but with a little help from my friends of course. After that, we walked around to find the Fault in Our Stars bench. It had locks on it and people had signed it with quotes from the book/movie and just lovers initials. It was adorable. Kellie and I got the tacky picture of us pretending to be the characters. Gotta love us. Then we headed to this cute Heineken outdoor seating café/restaurant and got the BEST TOASTED SANDWICHES EVER. It was another perfect day and I actually even got a little sunburnt. Felt good though. I need more sun! After that, we stopped for souvenirs and for the carnival. I loaded up on souvenirs, because this was one of my favorite places I’ve been. Bring me back!!!! I hope to bring my family here one day, that would be great. At the carnival, Olivia, Matt and I decided to do the swings. Though, they weren’t just ordinary swings. They went 60 meters high up into the air, looking over all of Amsterdam. They didn’t appear to be going fast, though you’re up there for a good whole 5 minutes which is a long time when you get up there and realize how scary heights actually are. Olivia and I sang some Christmas carols to make it through and often just repeated back and forth “i’m scared” but Matt got a good video of the view while we were up there, so it was worth it hahah. All in all, a cool experience. After that, we sat at a bar where the bartender asked me if I was from New Zeland and then Canada once he heard my accent (weird) and we got yummy strawberry margaritas. So good. Wish we could've stayed longer but our flight was calling us. We got there with about 20 minutes to spare and then off we were to Prague. The sunglass squad/gals weekend was incredible. I will remember it fondly. Amsterdam, I love you with my whole heart. Noordwijk, you are just beautiful and made it feel like home. XOXO I will be back!