An illogical, yet humorous way of remembering smarty pants words PART 1

Welcome to my list of nonsense that helps myself study for....things. I don't think this will help anyone but myself, but it is, after all, a mnemonic strategy . . .I just used one woo hoo    

pomp - "look at that pompous fellow! What a magnificent display of wealth!"

egregious - "outstandingly bad or offensive" . . . Greg / Onision is this  speaks for itself

ululation - "howl" "wail" doesn't ululululu sound like a wail itself? 

minuscule - uh..miniscule? Pretty self-explanatory

attenuate - "Attention, everyone! Today I am going to reduce your portions..." 

nugatory - "of little or no importance" "NUGATORY! NEGATIVE! NOT IMPORTANTE!"

recrudescent - "to come back to life after a period of quiet inactivity..." REcrudescent

sallow - sickly yellowish color or complexion. sallow > sickly> skin >complexion eww

importune - "making insistent request" "I insist you give this to me. Insist. INSIST!" importune, insist

supplicate - humble way of requesting (supplying for FREE?!)

cajole - "nudge someone jokingly into doing what you ask" I cajoled the kid to give me his ice cream. I still can't believe it worked.

beseech - emphasize the earnest and humble nature of a request. besEEch. EMphasis.

adjure - formal "begging", taking an oath . The court AD...something.

implore - (verb) if you implore, you are in near tears for something...ooh, desperado 

woo - begging, seeking an end      seriously i don't even know with this one

entreat - "earnestness"... you are asking in a very sincere manner "I entreated him not to go..."

mendicant - (noun) a beggar for money or help. This one connects with the one below.

cadge - (verb) to beg for money. This one connects with the one above. ex: a mendicant cadges

solipsist- the idea of narcissism, really . . .

autocrat - gov by one being. 

autodidact - a cool person who is self-taught with no formal education in a field. Cuz they da dude.

autonomous- (adj) anonymous is independent! sorry, that was awful  "....that acts independently"

soliloquy - speech by a soul character on the stage

idiosyncrasy - characteristic of behavior that is limited to one person or group ex: traitor club [running man]

recluse - people who live in solitude like a....hermit! a hermit crab lives in his shell all by himself and

renegade- rebel, traitor, deserter....Lee Kwang Soo! 

hetereodox - (adj) statements, behavior, opinion that vary from accepted popular belief . . . 

cynosure - something/someone that everyone looks at cuz you a freak, bruh probs cuz you shine or somethin 

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contention- striving to win in argument/competition "I won't be content until I win!"

irreconcilable- impossible to bring to agreement (divorce: irreconcilable differences, anyone?)

contiguous- sharing an edge or of connecting with a break . contiguous, connecting

catercorner- "four" (catercorner= FOUR corners)

pugilistic- people who fight with their fists "Aw, look at that dog--OUCH! did that pug just punch me with its fists?!"

Belligerent/Bellicose- "war"

malice- "bad" Alice the malice. I'm too tired for this

gregarious - I think of Greg Ayres, who is always so SOCIABLE seriously, have you seen the guy

cohort - ground/band 'o people

camaraderie- "roommate" uno person

resonant- "sounding again"...again....again...again...

sonorous - (adj) full, rich sound. Sons can be full and rich in their polo shirts and crocs, I guess

timbre - unique  seriously, how about that spelling, huh  timber and timbre? Mind= blown

tintinnabulation -sound of the ringing bells...persistent, just like all those n's in this word

noisome - P.U. smells (this can also be for dangerous smells like gases/fumes, ironically)

pungent- sharp smells that may be good, but mostly really strong like creme brulee

odoriferous - "having a smell" well, buster, it does have the word ODOR in it

And that's a rap. Stay tuned for more words....one day. 

Ciao, Ciao (my mind calls for rest) 

Quote of the Day [QOTD]

To live without prejudice, that's the most important thing in the world.

The Pandemic [illustrated characters pov AKA ICP]

I grabbed Talia's collar and shook her, frantic. "Don't you see, you idiot?! He TOTALLY likes you!"

"No he doesn't!" Talia argued as I let go of her. "He doesn't see me like that! We're just friends...." she brushed the hair from her eyes. "Besides, you should see the way Fimayla looks at him. They're meant to be."

Ugh. She knew I hated it when she said that, and she realized it at this point.

I removed my sandal and threw it at her with all my might as she ran off, screaming. It bounced off the top of her head and she landed face first onto the grass, my sandal next to her face. 

I was always spot on about everything. Everything.

-----

Today was the the fourteenth of February. Amorous passion between couples day. Singles appreciation day. Valentines Day.

I sat outside of the Fleur de Doux, undercover with my hood pulled up to avoid any recognizable faces; I had a snapback hat underneath my hood as well. It was 8:00 AM, and even though today was the notorious day of love, the streets were filled yet. Fleur de Doux was a locally owned flower shop, and I noticed a couple of men rush in out and from the establishment to purchase last minute gifts. Someone tapped me on the shoulder during my observation and I turned my head.

It was Zico, one of the part-time workers at the flower shop. His soft black hair was layered and parted as to cover his forehead, his hair flowed and barely stopped past his ears. When under light, the highlights of his hair were a smooth and rugged grey, which complemented his almond eyes. Zico had two black studs in his ears, and a work uniform on. He greeted me, with his usual jest.

"Scoping for a boyfriend?"

I rolled my eyes. "It's bit too late for that, don't you think?" I pulled my hood back down. No point in hiding now. "Shouldn't you be working?"

Zico shrugged. "Dan is already in there helping the only customer we have right now. And actually...I am working right now," he smiled. "What type of flower are you looking for, mademoiselle?"

"Well, I don't need a flower," I answered. I suddenly thought of Rick, who I was supposed to be meeting here. "...but I'm trying to help a friend find one." I looked at the clock tower, which instantly told me that ten minutes had passed. Rick was supposed to be showing up at any minute now.

"What friend?" Zico asked, "Is it someone I know?"

I leaned over and whispered, "I'm trying to set up Rick with Talia."

"You hound," he told me, a bit amused. "Why don't you worry about yourself?"

I put my hands on my hips. "Should I take my business elsewhere? I could totally get Rick to buy flowers at the supermarket. I'm only tryin' to help you out here."

Zico held his hands up in defense. "Be my guest, Selena. But I doubt those would even be fresh."

Ouch. Touche,

"Look, just help me out here, okay?" I begged. "Rick needs this!" I pouted my lower lip. "Please, Zico??"

My confidante reached over and grabbed my ear before he pulled on it. "Okay, fine. But on one condition."

I removed myself from his grasp. "Okay, geez! What do you want?"

"After we get the two of them together, I need your help with something for an hour."

"An hour? Doing what?"

He shook his head. "I'll explain more later. You just have to do whatever I say."

Before I could probe him any further, Rick arrived, a bit out of breath.

"Holy cow, Selena! That was a bit urgent, don't you think?" He glared at me. "What's the big idea, dragging me out of here this early in the morning??"

Zico and I exchanged looks before I said, "Do you remember what day it is today?"

Rick scratched his head. "Today's a Saturday," he looked at Zico. "Right?"

"Right," I said. "And it's also Valentine's Day."

Rick thought for a moment. "Okay. And...what has that got to do with me?"

I pointed at him, confusing Rick a bit more than I probably intended to. "You're goin' on a blind date today, mister!"

At this sudden announcement, Rick looked alarmed. "What?! ME?!"

"And I'm gonna take you there," I continued. Zico quietly chuckled behind me and I purposely kicked his leg that was behind me. "It's in a few hours, but I figured it would be good to give you some tips first."

Rick rolled his eyes. "Selena, what do you know about romance?"
"I can't agree more with that," Zico said behind me. I turned and gave Zico a long hard stare before he gestured to Rick to follow him into the flower shop. "Let's find a flower for your lady, shall we?"

Rick followed Zico into the store, myself hot onto their trails. "I guess I don't have much of a choice, now do I?" He spoke directly to me this time. "Can I know who this person is?"

Zico opened his mouth. "It's Ta-"
"..It's a SURPRISE!" I interrupted before he could give it away. "Your date doesn't know who's showing up either."

Zico looked at me as I gave him the look of death. As Rick began to search through fresh flowers, I pulled Zico aside and told him threateningly, "If you don't do this right, the deal is off!"

He only responded by grabbing my face and pulling my cheeks until they hurt. "Selena, there really isn't much you can do, you know that right?"

"You jerk! Let go of--"

The two of us whirled back around as if nothing happened, just as Rick came running up to us. "I found it, you guys! How about this?" He held up a bouquet of blue and purple carnations. Zico nodded impressed. "I think she'll like them. You've really got the knack of the whole romance thing, man."

Rick turned red. "Ah-- really?" Flattered, he said, "I think that's a good thing...right?"

Zico gave him the thumbs up. I praised Rick before he purchased the flowers. By this point, he seemed excited to go on his first valentine's date. He said farewell to Zico and then left the establishment, ready for me to take him to his date,

I had hoped that Zico had completely forgotten about our promise, but he didn't. Before I could follow Rick out, he pulled me aside and told me. "Remember what you promised," he pointed at me. "Be back here in about four hours. Got it?"

I shoved him aside. "Yeah, yeah. I heard you," I forced myself to act cool. "Thanks though!"

I hurried off as Rick waved me over.


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Talia sat inside Papa's Italliano, waiting for her blind date to show up. Blind date? Why, she'd never! It was all because of stupid Selena. Had she not have already set the thing up, she wouldn't have come! And of all days, it had to be on Valentine's day!

She was wearing a casual dress with tights, a denim jacket and combat boots to seal the deal. Talia wondered who was going to show up? Would it be Asia? Her heart pounded at the mention of him. Even though he hadn't showed up last time, she couldn't find it in her heart to stay mad at him for long. She closed her eyes and rested them for a second, just as...

"Talia?"

She turned to face someone she had never expected to see in a million years. "R-Rick??"

Bouquet of carnation in hand with Selena next to him, Rick stepped forward. "You're my blind date?"

Talia turned red. "I...I am?!" She and Rick both sent Selena a filthy look.

Selena didn't expect anything less from the two. She held up her hands in defense. "Happy Valentines Day, you guys!" She winked, "Don't worry, this is all covered for! Order whatever you want!"

Talia stood from her chair, flames burning in her eyes. "SELENA!"

Selena laughed and said, "Have a good date! Love you guys!" She left the restaurant before anything could happen.

Talia and Rick stood in disbelief, but it was Rick who took the initiative to protect his friend. "Oh well," he told his date, absentmindedly. "She only cares about us." He went over to where Talia was and pulled her chair out. "Sit down."

Talia did as she was told, flustered. Her heart pounded angrily because of her friend's tricks, but now it was pounding because of something else. What was it? And...why?

Rick sat at the opposite side of the table. "Let's do what Selena said and go crazy, okay?" he flashed her a charming smile that was enough to make any girl's stomach flip. "She said it was all covered for."

Talia couldn't help but let a giggle escape from her. "Okay, then. To dine, we shall."

They started to look over their fancy menus when suddenly, Rick had the urge to say something.

"Hey, Talia?"

"Y-yeah, Rick?" Her heart pounded like crazy.

"For today, let's pretend we don't know each other..like a blind date," he held out his hand. "I'm Rick. Nice to meet you."

Talia felt nervous, but also a bit excited. She took his hand, it was warm and inviting. "I'm Talia. It's nice to meet you too."

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I made it back to Zico's and he stood waiting outside of Le Fleur's. I noticed that he wasn't wearing a uniform anymore, but instead a snapback hat, jeans, and jacket. He seemed impressed that I came back. "Selena didn't break her promise after all."

I punched his arm. "I don't break promises, idiot," I cast him another angry look. "Let's just get this over with, okay?"

Zico held up a hand. "Wait, how did it go?"

"How did what go?"

"Uh...hello? Rick and Talia?"

Oh. DUH.

"It was good," I told him. "They were surprised, but..." I couldn't help but smile at the thought of my plans. "I think they're going to be really happy today."

"Good to hear," Zico said. He grabbed my hand and started to make way for somewhere unknown.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked, a bit on edge. I was starting to get suspicious. "And what did you need help with?"

"Today," he began. "I need you to pretend to be my girlfriend."

WHAT?!

No, no, no. I quickly pulled free from his grasp. "Wait, what?"

"We had a deal," he told me, nonchalant and composed. "I just need you to pretend in front of my ex-girlfriend."

I glared at him. "I'm not your toy, Zico," but I thought about our little deal. "But...I guess..."

He pinched my cheek again. "You got it...babe," He took off my snapback hat and tossed it back into the store. "No hat for you, today." I guess I didn't look good enough to impress his ex in a hat or something. Whatever.

I rolled my eyes and slapped his hand away before following him off to who-knows-where.

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Lucky Rick and Talia, I thought to myself as I sat down in a coffee shop with Zico, his ex-girlfriend, and her date. At least those two were meant to be. I was a fake.

Zico introduced me to the other couple who were as disgustingly close as a couple should be on Valentine's Day....only ten thousand times worse.

"This is Selena," he told Brendan and Fefe. "She's my girlfriend."

Fefe seemed nice enough. "Nice to meet you," she flashed me a glamorous style that fit her beautiful silky hair and charming eyes. Her date was just as gorgeous as she was. "I'm glad Zico found someone that's worth his wait."

I felt Zico tighten up next to me. Not good.

"Yeah," I said to her. "He just found me one day and then suddenly, we were together."

Zico and I shared looks. Hmm.

Brendan reached over and kissed Fefe on the cheek. "Love is love," he said when he resurfaced. "Where did you two meet?"

Zico answered before I could."Selena ran into me on the street," he explained. "She was interning for some interior design company and literally knocked me off my feet," he mockingly laughed. The others smiled politely. I had no real reaction. Interior design, my foot, I thought to myself, chewing my lip. "She's great. This one is."

Fefe seemed a bit uncomfortable now. There was obviously some type of unresolved issue going on here; first of all, what type of idiot would ask their ex to couple date with them? Idiots.

Brendan didn't seem too uncomfortable at all with this tension. In fact, he fed off of it. He added more fuel to the fire with public displays of affection. He whispered in her ear, making her giggle when our drinks came. He praised her constantly, and the two conversed with us, but not with using "we" and "us" as proper nouns to address themselves. I could tell that Zico was pissed off to the point of no return. He didn't look at me, and I didn't look at him. The two of us were as cold as one "fake" couple could be. But I was totally okay with it, because I just needed to hold out my end of the deal and be free forever! And I would do this again in a heartbeat for my friend....I think...

But the bomb exploded when Fefe mentioned that the two of them were getting married. They celebrated this by sharing a kiss, which I awkwardly looked away from. And then this happened.

Zico reached over, and without a word, grabbed my face and kissed me.

I froze.

They froze.

Five seconds later, I pushed Zico away and scrambled out of my chair in disbelief. I turned to the other couple who stopped in their embrace and apologized. "It was nice to meet you. Sorry about this," and then hurried off. Zico sat in his chair still, no reaction whatsoever. When I had descended down the stairs of the two-story coffee establishment, something broke inside of me.

The tears rushed from my face and I covered it, embarrassed to have this happen to me. Of all the things that I had expected to happen today, this hadn't made the cut. I was just used and then thrown away. It was the epitome of the having somebody use you for their own benefit, not care about who they were hurting, and then having them throw you back into whatever garbage can they had found you in. What hurt me most wasn't the fact that Zico had asked me to pose as his girlfriend, but the fact that he even had the audacity to even consider kissing me to prove a point to his ex girlfriend. What was I doing here? Who am I? And why did I let this happen? I'm Selena, for God's sake!
........


I continued to cry and walk along the street, bidding riddance to whoever looked my way. What did I care? I was going to end up alone anyway. It didn't matter. None of it did. Maybe I should just be thankful that I even got to pose as a fake one. And that kiss-! It was my first kiss! I cursed Zico and my sadness was replaced with disgust. UGH!!

As I was moping around and sulking in my shadows of darkness, someone pulled me back. Zico, out of breath, had finally found me. "There you are," he said, sounding relieved.

 I kicked him in the shin. "What do you mean, 'there you are' ?!"

I cussed and rubbed his shin. "Selena, I know you're mad, but--"

I covered my ears. "I don't want to hear it, buster! You can't justify this! Just go away!" The tears started again. "You're the most insensitive jerk that I've ever--"

He rushed forward and held me in a right embrace, my eyes resting on his shoulder. He was warm yet affirmative in his grip. But still, I struggled to break free. "What are you doing, you idiot?? Are you trying to confuse me more?" I continued to try and escape. "I'm not gonna fall for your stupid tricks again, you hear me?? For all I care, you can go fall in a--"

"I like you."

I stopped struggling and froze. What did he say?

"Selena, I really really like you."

I turned beet red, and thanked heavens he couldn't see my face. "Stop telling me lies! Are you trying to destroy my soul, Zico? Just...just shut up!" My heart pounded against my chest.

"...Selena, I'm sorry about today. Seeing Fefe like that made me really mad. And so I...I acted instinctively. Sorry."

I didn't want to hear his apologies. I just wanted to dig a hole and climb into it with my confusion and jealousy enraged persona. "I don't want to hear it, Zico. I don't care anymore," I whispered. "I just...wish you hadn't done that. Let me go, please."

He did as I wished, although not exactly, his hands remained on my shoulders. "Are you really okay? Look, I made all that stuff up because....Fefe dumped me because I couldn't afford things for her. So I made you out to be this...interior design intern to show that I could get her to react. You okay?"

Okay with what? My life? Your motives?

I changed the subject...kind of. "Where are they now? Where is Fefe and Brendan?"

"They're still there," he said, a twinkle in his eye. "They kind of figured I had been lying the whole time, but they didn't object to me leaving to find you."

"What are you trying to say?"

"...that was your first kiss, wasn't it?" He was starting to act like himself again. I returned my anger and kicked him in the shin again as hard as I could.

"As a matter of fact, it WAS!" I watched as he grabbed his shin again, his hands leaving my shoulders. "Good day to you, and GOOD RIDDANCE!"

I walked off in a huff as Zico called back out to me. "Hey, you idiot! Come back here!"

He regained his posture and jogged to meet up with me. "I know you don't believe me, but everything I've said is true," he stopped me again. "I really really like you. Will you give me a chance?"

Even though my heart was racing, I forced myself to sent him a nasty stare. "How can I even trust someone like you again?" I pointed at his chest. "You ruined me, Zico. Thanks a whole lot!"

"Selena," instinctively, he brushed his fingers at the corner of my almond eyes, knowing that my tears were about to erupt again. "I'll make it up to you, I mean it."

"...really?"

"Really," he took of his snapback hat and placed it on my head. "And this can be our real first." He reached in and his lips met mine, catching me off guard. His lips were soft and sweet and I could smell him from where he was. My heart raced, and I was pretty sure that my face was maroon. Slowly, he pulled away from me as I was still in a daze. I didn't know what to say. How to react. But somebody else did.


"WOOOOO, SELENA!"

Zico and I turned to see Talia and Rick sitting side by side on the bridge railing, obviously hyped up. Rick "woo hooed" and Talia clapped her hands while laughing uncontrollably. It was my worst nightmare come true. The laughing couple left the bridge and approached us. They should thank God they did, because I was ready to run over and push them into the lake.

Talia folded her arms, impressed with me. "So this is why you set me and Rick together today? So you could get some alone time with Zico?"

I shook her by the collar. "That's not even what happened!!" She flailed her arms about, trying to escape her impending doom.

Rick applauded Zico. "Nice, dude! So that's what that was all about."

Zico laughed. "Well, I can't say I've won yet..." He spoke to Talia as I let go of her collar. "How was your boyfriend's initiative? Good?"

Now it was Talia's turn to turn red.Rick also submissively looked off into the distance, a bit embarrassed himself. "W-W-what are you talking about?!" Then, she got a revelation. "You and Selena really do fit!"

I rung her collar again. "SHUT UP!!"

Now it was Rick and Zico's turn to laugh.



Singles Awareness Day? Yeah, right.   ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

The Hidden Prince ♥

Terminology: OPPA is a name for a not-too-much older male. 

 - - - - - - -          

I sat down on the bench in the metro, rubbing my bare foot trying to soothe the pain. I knew from the start that it had been a bad idea to wear heels that were too small for my feet. Today was the first time that I truly understood 'beauty is pain'. Even now, I wasn't sure if it had been completely worth it. Shin Woo silently knelt down beside me to examine my foot.

            "Are you alright?" he asked. His jet black hair was swept to the side, his hair styled. 

             I did my best to put on a tough front. "I'm fine."

             He didn't say anything else, but instead, slowly got up and left me, heading towards the opposite direction. "Hey, where are you going??" I yelled after him. He disappeared at the corner and I let out a long sigh. This day was just getting better and better.

             I shoved my foot back into my detrimental shoe, sighed, and stood up, slightly limping towards the subway exit. As I rounded the corner, a familiar voice stopped me dead in my tracks.

             "Kanyeon?"

             It was a familiar and gruff voice that set my mouth in a grim line. Slowly, I turned to face my worst enemy. Short and spiky, messy hair. Same untrustworthy eyes. He donned a polo jacket that covered his khakis.  He approached me as if nothing had happened and said, "Why didn't we keep contact? It's been too long." He broke into a mischievous grin. God, I hated this guy.

             "What d'you mean why didn't we keep contact?" I barked back. "Was there a reason to?"

            Vic came closer and I could practically smell the alcohol on his breath; I felt like I was drowning in his stench as the air slipped back and through into his mouth. "I thought we were something: you and I."

             I shoved him away from me. "Speaking of which, how are you?" I asked, not able to control myself. "Are you dating your new girlfriend's best friend, too? Ruining anymore lives?"

             He didn't answer me right away, but  used his finger to point at me a few times with a grin on his face; clearly he was drunk. "And you?"

              Ooh. That did it. If I could take this guy right now and beat his fat face in ....

              But no matter how angry I was, I wasn't going to tell my ex that I had just sacrificed my feet for some other guy that...

               "You ask me how I'm doing?" I started, not really sure how I was going to end this. "I'm doing..." my voice trailed off as soon I saw that Shin Woo was making his way back; He was coming up right behind Vic as well. 

                 Fire started, I stepped behind Vic and linked arms with my unsuspecting friend. "...this is my boyfriend," I announced to both guys (the latter more surprised than the other). I ignored the stare I got from my "accomplice" and smugly smiled to Vic before dragging Shin Woo away.

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I stood next to him, our backs up against the wall. What had I been thinking??

Awkwardly, I turned to Shin Woo, embarrassed. "Sorry," I told him, red. "I didn't mean to do any of that, I swear." When he didn't say anything but continued to stare straight ahead, I felt the need to further justify my actions. "I just got really angry when I saw him and I couldn't help myself --"

              "I get it," he interrupted me. He gave me a charming smile. "You wanted to show him how much better off you were," he cleared his throat and then his tone suddenly changed. "It's not a big deal. It was all pretend anyway, right?"

                   Pretend.

                  It took a second for me to realize what he had said and meant. "Oppa, I really am sorry," I apologized again. "If you're mad at me, I get it. I totally do." I turned back to face the front, awkward while chewing on my bottom lip. Today had been a really weird day. He cleared his throat again, clearly meaning that he was done talking about what we were talking about. 

                    "I'm really pathetic, aren't I?" I asked aloud to myself. "I trusted the one person I had fallen for and the person who I thought was my friend. And all they did was betray me," I swallowed the lump in my throat. "I always think...that I must have done something terrible for to have this happen to me," I looked down at the ground before continuing. "That's why I don't trust people anymore and why I can't date. I've lost my sense of direction. Or...they're always going for someone else who is prettier or more fun or..."

                     Shin Woo finally spoke up. "Then they're fools," he smiled as our eyes met. "They don't know what they've missed out on, now do they?" 

                      I didn't have a chance to reply because he suddenly brought out a baggie from behind and knelt down in front of me again. He took out a shoe box from the bag and removed the lid. A pair of heels were revealed to be in hiding. "Why would you want to wear shoes that are too small for you?" he asked, carefully taking off my former shoe and sliding the new one onto my right foot in its place. 

                      "You bought me shoes?" I said quietly, a bit in disbelief.

                       He smiled. "Yes." he tied the strap in place and then repeated the same steps for my left foot. I couldn't help but smile a bit. 

                       "And here I thought..."

                       He looked up at me, clearly amused. "You didn't really think that when I took off I would have left you here, did you?" When I failed to respond, he looked back down and said concisely, "Idiot." 

                         "But Shin Woo Oppa...why?"

                    He put my old shoes into the new shoe box and then stood up. "At least in front of me, I want you to be yourself," he gestured to my former shoes in the box he held. "These shoes aren't even your style. Who were you kidding?"

                    "...Thank you," I finally managed to say to his face. "But..."

                    "What is it?"

                      "These shoes you gave me," I started with a laugh. "Are ugly."

        That comment only seemed to make him happier. "Fine, let's see what your great eye picks out."

                       Cracking a smile, I followed Shin Woo out of the subway, finally feeling better after the longest time. 

For Pickle's Eyes Only : Courtship

Pickle, this story is about Talia and Rick. (That's right, Pickle, I know your heart just stopped.) For anyone else who comes upon this post, you can try to understand. Try.

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Talia was SO happy. It was today that she was finally going to confess to Asia Buckyfield that she loved him. Her heart felt as if it was about to burst into blames at any given second. Goosebumps formed on her arms and she constantly chewed her lip. Today was the day that Talia was going to let Asia know how she had felt for the past three years!

Talia sat inside Le Creme Brulee at 25 Mercer Street, eagerly waiting for her date to arrive. She had ordered a strong Black Tea for Asia, and a Green Tea for herself. Talia didn't really have a thing for tea, but she wanted her tastes to be more similar to Asia. After she had told the waitress what she had wanted, she took off her coat, hung it on the back of her chair, and began to settle into nervousness.


She sat next to the window seat and stared at all of the people who rushed by. No sign of Asia...yet. The coffee shop already had a few tables filled with young couples, their passion resonating from them. Talia awkwardly pulled out her phone and reread her last messages with Asia:

T: Hey! let's meet up tomorrow! ^^
A: Sure. What time?
T: Le Creme Brulee at noon?
A: I'll be there.
T: Sweet! ^^

Her eyes wandered over to a clock nearby and instantly noticed that it was already 12:15.

The waitress came over and apologized to her about the wait for the drinks Talia had ordered. Apparently, an influx of people had came in and were trying to order coffee-to-go. Talia accepted the apology and told the waitress that it was fine.

Anxiety taking in, Talia's finger hovered over the call button next to Asia's name. Would calling him right now be too weird? Was that too clingy? He was probably coming right now. Sinking into cowardice, Talia closed out of her messages, set her phone on the table, and continued to wait.

12:30.
The drinks finally came, and the rush of to-go customers disappeared as well. Talia stirred her drink and stared at an empty seat in front of her, the smell of Asia's drink fading away as it cooled down. Thirty minutes late and still no one? Talia erased her doubts and sipped some tea.

12:45.
The couples at some of the tables nearby have started to give her sad looks. Their eyes dart to her first, and then to the empty seat in front of her. Talia decides that if Asia doesn't show up in 15 minutes, she would call him.

1:00.
She calls without hesitation, and no one picks up the phone. Instead, she is met with his voice message. In a cheery voice, it says, "You've reached Asia's phone! Sorry I didn't pick up your call. Leave a message and I will get back to you." Even though he didn't pick up, hearing his voice made Talia feel stronger for some reason.

1:15.
The tea is all cold now. Talia couldn't even finish hers. A few of the couples finish up, walk by, and give her sad, sympathetic smiles. The waitress even comes by a few times to make sure she is okay.
Talia messages Asia before calling him again.

T: Hey, where are you?


1:20.
Talia messages her friend Selena, in complete disbelief.

T: Did he stand me up? :(
S: What are you talking about? :| Talia, where are you?
T: He won't answer any of my calls or messages... :(
S: Where are you right now?
T: Le Creme Brulee.
T: What should I do, bruh? x(

Selena doesn't respond.


Talia realizes by this point that for some reason, Asia stood her up. She doesn't even remember what it was that she originally had planned to do. The waitress comes by again, notices what had happened, and then asks her if she is okay. Talia immediately nods her head, embarrassed, as the waitress tells her that the drinks are on the the house today. Talia knows that that isn't true but takes advantage of this time to take her things and leave. The unfinished tea remained cold and lifeless on the table as she left the establishment.

She rushes outside, clearly in a fever. As she walked along the busy streets, she felt the tears slip from her eyes and roll down her cheeks. She hated crying, she hated it! And so she stumbled upon a less crowded street and sat down on an empty bench next to a lamp post so that she couldn't be seen. Wiping her snot and tears with the back of her arm, she sobbed like a lunatic to herself. No one batted her an eye, and Talia was more than fine with that. She fumbled at her purse to find her tissues, but to no avail, they were not there when she needed them the most. Just like Asia.

"Oh man, you really are a mess."

A familiar voice broke her thoughts, and Talia looked up to see a smug looking Rick, wearing a jacket and jeans. His hair was spiked up a bit as usual, and he did not seem the least surprised to see Talia here. He addressed her again despite her disbelief. "Holy cow, Selena was right."

Talia couldn't believe it. "Right? Right about what?" It was as if all of her sadness had been evaporated and replaced with fury. "What are you doing here anyway?"

Rick shrugged. "I was told you got stood up, so I came to find you."

Talia shot Rick a dirty look. "I did not get stood up, you snoop! He already left. I was just...just..."

Rick raised an eyebrow.

"My allergies are just really bad, okay?"

Rick rolled his eyes. "Whatever. We all know that you got stood up. Selena told me everything."

Talia's face turned a deep shade of red. "If you rely on Selena so much for information, then go bother her then!" She stood up and kicked him in the shin. "Stupid Rick! Stupid Selena!" As she ran off from the scene, she mumbled to herself. "...Stupid Asia."

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5:30.
Talia stared at the gallons of ice cream inside of a convenience store she was in. Ice cream was really nice. It didn't break promises or stand you up. Talia really liked ice cream ....but not as much as Asia.

She felt the tears start again, and she wiped her face clean with the back of her hand. She was going home.

Just as she exited the store without having bought anything, her phone started to vibrate. She picked up, expecting nothing, but then realized Asia had finally responded.

A: Hey, sorry about that Talia! I totally forgot about today. I ended up asking the girl I really like out! I have so much to tell you. I'll make it up to you! Next time we go out, drinks are on me! :)
A: How does tomorrow sound?

Talia stopped walking. Her heart stopped. This time, she let her tears fall as she crouched down. What are the odds that the same day she wanted to confess to someone that Asia would also do the same to another girl? Her tears tasted more salty and bitter than they had been the past few hours.

And yet again...

"Here."

A tissue was made into her hands and in confusion, Talia looked up. "Rick?"

Rick crouched down and looked her in the eye. "Stop crying over some deadbeat. Stop it."

"Asia's not a--"

A hand was clamped over her mouth. "Stop protecting him, you idiot. You look ridiculous." He reached over and took Talia's phone before she could stop him and then forced her to stand up. "Text him back and tell him no. Right now," he rolled his eyes again. "Seriously, take care of yourself better, would you? You have everyone all worried..."

Before Talia could completely register what was happening, Rick reached over and started to wipe her face clean with the tissue in her hand. It wasn't until he was about three inches away from her face that he froze. Talia remained as still as a statue with a fixed look in her eyes. What. Was. Going. On.

He cleared his throat and stepped back, just as Talia took her phone back and looked back at the message Asia had sent. Maybe Rick and Selena were right. Asia wasn't the one. Taking a deep breath and sip of courage, she texted back:

T: Sorry, I'm busy tomorrow.

"Hopefully for the rest of your life," Rick said, surveying the scene from behind.

Talia turned red again. "Stop snooping around! I..I can deal with this myself."

Rick smiled, and it sent shivers down Talia's spine. "I sure hope so."

Absentmindedly, she scratched her head and looked back down at her phone, not really sure what was going on. Rick called for her attention again by peering over at her. "What did you have earlier, anyway?"

Earlier? Talia racked her brain. "Tea," she answered firmly. "I had tea."

Rick made a disgusted face. "Tea? You don't even drink or like tea! Why did you go and do that?" When she didn't answer her, he finally understood. "Geez, you're an idiot. Don't go lowering your standards for some jerk."

"Asia's not a jerk!" Talia insisted. "He's just--wait, where are you taking me??"

Rick had found her hand and was leading her away. "The Talia I know really likes Hot Chocolate," he grinned. "Not some stupid tea. Drinks are on me!"

Talia couldn't help but turn multiple shades of red. Rick led her through the busy streets, his grip on her firm and reassuring as the city bustled with exciting couples in the backdrop of a amorous light.

To Perceive

A lady sat on a park bench, looking down at her hands and rubbing her fingers together. The sun felt warm on her back as she sat in silence. 

The person that she loved had told her that he needed time apart from her, that they needed to see other people first. When she heard this, her world shattered into a thousand pieces. She tried to put her world back together, she really did. But her hands always got cut by the sharp edges and she couldn't face the fact that her world could never be the same.

 She constantly felt tired, especially today, and was finding it immensely hard to keep her eyes open. Her limbs hurt and her muscles ached. She couldn't remember the last time she actually felt hungry. 

The children playing nearby ran past her a few times with the leaves and wind behind their trails. As the wind started to pick up, a nearby dog barked while its owner led it away. A few birds settled in a tree nearby as Donna Owen contemplated on what she should do next. Her eyes trailed over to the San Francisco Golden Gate bridge and studied its strong, metallic structure. She wished that she could be strong and act as her own support system. Her mind remained faithful to her and stayed silent. There was nothing more to think about, nothing more to cry about. Her tears had been dried up after he had left. But she still felt like she was missing another crucial element in her life. 

"There you are!"

Slowly, Donna turned to meet a woman in her thirties, who looked to be out of breath. She rushed forward and embraced Donna with much vigor. Confused, Donna gently pushed the stranger away. The stranger consented and then quietly sat down on the park bench next to her. 

Donna observed her quietly while on guard. The woman had light, golden hair that flowed down to her shoulders. She had gentle and patient looking hazel eyes that were expressed themselves clearly. The woman reached over and grasped Donna's hands before giving them a reassuring squeeze. Donna silently set her hands free and cast the stranger an odd look. 

The stranger said, "Donna, why did you run off again?"

Again? Donna continued her confused gaze. "Do I...know you?'

The stranger hesitated. "Donna, we've been through this before. You can't keep running off like that," the stranger bit her lip. "It's dangerous."

A silence met the two. 

"...I was looking.,..for something," Donna finally said, removing her gaze from the stranger. "At least...I thought I was..."

The stranger tipped her head forward to try and get Donna to look at her. "Do you not remember me?"

Donna shook her head frantically, intertwining her hands together. 

"Not at all?"

Donna repeated her previous action. A sigh was heard from the golden haired stranger as Donna stared back off into space. "I...don't know...who you are...but how...do you know...my name...?"

"We're really good friends," the stranger sighed. "Are you sure you don't know me? Donna?"

There was no response. 

The stranger nodded. "Okay, Donna. Let's do this: let's be friends." she held her hand out to Donna and tried to get her to shake it, but it didn't work. Instead, she continued to stare off into space, paying no attention to the stranger next to her. 

 Exasperated, the stranger, taking the initiative, reached over and grabbed her hand, bringing the woman back into reality. "My name is Lucy. It's nice to meet you, Donna." 

Donna was startled, but was forced out of her dreams to face her realities. 

"Tell me your story, Donna," Lucy said. "Tell me about your life."

Donna didn't say anything for a few seconds but let Lucy's word sink in for a few moments. When Donna finally looked up to speak, the sun had already started to go down and the sky was tinted with a mellow orange. "I...lost someone important to me," Donna said. "...they were really important...and I lost them."

Lucy chewed her lip. "Is that so? Who was it?"

"...He doesn't want me anymore. I don't think that...he loves me...anymore."

Lucy seemed frustrated. "No, that can't be it. Why do you think that, Donna?"

Donna squeezed her eyes shut. "He left me...he doesn't want to see me anymore....I really thought...we were meant...."

"Donna, stop!" Lucy took hold of friend's arm and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "It really isn't what you think, Donna, You have to stop this. None of this is your fault."

"If it isn't....then...why can't I cry anymore? Why do I...hurt...."  A breeze whistled past, and the birds in the next tree started to chirp rather loudly. Donna said nothing as she stared at her hands... They were so pale...so clean....so...wrinkly...

"Oh, God, no! " Lucy threw her arms around a surprised Donna. "No, Mom! No!" 

Lucy sobbed uncontrollably into her unknowing and confused mother's shoulder. Donna sat, still confused, not quite understanding that this stranger, who she had just met minutes ago, was her daughter. Instead, she sat in silence until Lucy pulled apart to study her mother's broken face.

"Mom, it's me! Lucy! I'm your daughter! Remember?" The tears streamed down her face as she uttered these words. "It's Lucy, your daughter!"

With a muddled face, Donna stared back at her daughter. "My...daughter? But that's...impossible..."

Lucy continued with her revelations. "Dad never left you, Mom! You guys got back together and had me!" She wiped the tears with the back of her hand. "He may have left you, but he came back, Mom."

Donna seemed to be flowing in youth again as she turned to her daughter and demanded to know where her husband was. Where was he, how he was doing, and why he wasn't here now. Lucy looked grim and with tears in her eyes, looked down at the ground and said, "He's dead, Mom. He's been dead for twenty years."

At that moment, it was as if the world, yet again, shattered. 

The curtain had closed, the shadows were alive with tragedy, and they danced upon the mourning Earth and its soil. Donna made a tumultuous noise and buried her face in her aged hands, shaking with uncontrollable grief. First the first time that day, she understood what had happened. 

Lucy sobbed with her mother, and Donna now knew that this wasn't going to be the first or last time that she would go through this scene. After drying her tears, she forced herself to sit straight back up, and in doing so, noticed a small puddle of water near her feet. Her reflection showed a woman not aged by years, but by grief and confusion. Lucy consoled her mother, and this time, it was Donna herself who reached over and held onto her daughter's hand. And for the rest of the day, she promised herself to never let go of it. 

Mother and Daughter walked hand in hand as the sun set, waiting for this day to restart itself. 

Exactly

Two words.

Objection

This is why I object. 

Nature says hello when you breeze through its sheets, and you can feel the whistle of the wind as they touch upon them. It smells sweet and harmonious while turning the pages and brings back memories of sand, ocean, mountains, and forests. Your fingers easily slide on the words, the indents bold and assertive in their speech and form. The letters transform from words to sentences, to paragraphs to pages. You read by candlelight, when the night has awaken. You skim by sunshine when the dawn has decided to play. You flip through the leaflets of imagination from cover to cover until the journey has ended, both physically and mentally. 

This is why I object. 

A Taste of Merlot

T’is that night, the dove beckoned

Crimson which spilled cleanly upon tile

Foul odor protrudes thy immobile self

Spread with increasing bewilderment

Involuntary termination, brief time ago

The blade concurred to the holder and thus

Conviction grasped enshrouding circumstance

With hindsight, regret consumes itself

Thyself witness, as the extraction poured out

Dark shadows displace the tool

Miscreant being, shameless retreat

Soft entrance of rain upon glass

Fluid is not swept away, rather

Left of my own being in solitude

Scarlet which spilled clumsily upon tile

T’is that eternity, the dove descended.

The Echo Complex

THE

Exists that time you want to write your feelings out onto a piece of paper, but you can't find the words to do it. The music is ringing in your ears and even though you want to shut out the noise, you can't. It's not that you can't do it, but more of that fact that you don't want to. This music brings you peace somehow, and for some reason, you let it haunt you.

Cherry blossoms outside dangling off from the frame of the tree don't look like they're supposed to. Everyone looks at them the same they always do, praising the tree for what it's supposed to look like. But you notice the other details about the bark. It's discolored here and there, and scratches make themselves visible along with other indents. You can't decide if the imperfection is beautiful or if society is messed up or not, so you agree with everyone else that it's beautiful by the supposed standards and not of your own accord.

Hey, it's those small things that tick and bother like little fruit flies created from rotting fruit. You always manage to destroy the insects even though they don't do anything harmful to you. But the more you gaze upon the flies, the more you realize how bizarre and horrid it's all become. Their manifestation came from that fruit you did not eat in time; your little bothersome ticks are a reminder of your failure, of what you did not achieve.

Or it's those pleasant looking couples you see walking hand in hand, those eye nerving couples you see embrace that make you ask about yourself. You know how people always tell you that if you wait long enough, your significant other will come? You know you will wait. But how long? Days, years, decades.... You will never know until you wait. But who's to know that this is your fate or not? What if you weren't meant to be one of them?

[Echo, Echo, Echo...]

Could it be that society wants to bind you, wrap you up in their wool blankets made from the skin of dead animals that they both promote and disenfranchise in cartoons and ethics? In this hypocrisy, what will you choose? Which side will you stand on?

Or could what they are doing be truly of a help to you? Who is to say what is right or wrong? Who is the overall judge in this court that we all stand trial in?

More so, as you stand at the podium, hand sweaty, clutching the microphone, what can you do?

Please, you want to say to your audience, please put me in a better world where the judgmental can stand trial and the judged in the jury. Or no, actually...

Let us all go back to the olden archaic days of simple cherry blossoms and ripening fruit. Back to the days where humans and trees once used to be friends. Back when we all could live in peace with the land and watch Mother Nature furnish and nurture her garden as she pleased....

Elephants and clovers in the sun, river allowing man to sit upon its back.

'Xcuse those that wonder where all the peace fled to. Its footprints leave nothing but a dissonant ring as the elephants follow its ringleader back to paradise. . .



[Echo, Echo, Echo]


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2015.
Echo Complex. Why is it called this ?  Can you find it?

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