#expository

I understand that Miraculous is a kid’s show but that doesn’t mean everyone constantly has to be a moron. Like, every time Lila spins a lie the writing surrounding her just completely dumbs down. She isn’t even that necessary as a character. I think the only reason she’s kept around is so she can become the next Hawkmoth (if this is revealed in the last few episodes, don’t tell me), given Bunnix & that one-time traveling villain talking about the Hawkmoth of the future.

Anyways, it’s just annoying how everyone believes her for no good reason. Like, for example, that episode where she’s calling from the Middle East because she’s visiting Prince Ali. Nobody questions the fact that nothing is moving in the background, like no birds no clouds, lighting, people, nothing, nor the lack of visual depth. Because human eyes can tell when something is flat or not (usually). Also, an orange lamp? Really? What is this, a Hollywood movie of the Middle East or any “desert” place?

Then you have Alya refusing to believe Marionette about Lila. Like yes, you shouldn’t just take people’s word for things but once it gets to the point where someone else is also agreeing, aka Adrien and you still refuse to believe them that’s on you. Not to mention, conveniently, Adrien just doesn’t talk about the time when he talked to Lila to ensure she unspins her lies about Marionette pushing her down the stairs. On top of that, she literally said she has a disorder that makes her lie. SHE LITERALLY ADMITTED TO RANDOMLY LYING (even if though that was a lie too other people don’t know that). So even if she “doesn’t mean to” that at least means she compulsively lies and can’t control it.

I also just hate how Alya says it’s cute that Adrien is standing up for his girl instead of considering the fact that he’s just telling the truth. Adrien is someone who tried to see good in even Chloe and now he’s speaking ill of another person, for love or not, that is not in his nature to do and yet they still don’t take either of them seriously (he was in love with Ladybug and she made it pretty clear she didn’t like Chloe and yet he still defended her). It was also very infantilizing towards Marionette. (Also the fact that she just conveniently forgot about the fact that Lila lied about being friends with Ladybug even though she knows Marionette hates her is just pathetic)

Then there’s the fact that, even though Marionette is apparently so busy with her love life and other things, she has the time to not only rewrite but take the time to learn the handwriting of about 16 students. And do it in like a day or two, given she was doing it out of spite for not being picked to be the class rep. Unlike Lila, Marionette has plenty of history to prove her good nature. None of them actually know Lila other than for the things she tells them she does. Like sure, maybe she convinces some of the class but the ENTIRE class. Many of which have always believed in Marionette’s good nature (namely Rose & Mylene).

It pisses me off how Ms. Bustier also tried to send Chloe & Lila to go comfort Sabrina after all of them watched her have a literal breakdown saying it was those exact two that made her do it. And it’s obvious it was just so they could catch their conversation in the bathroom (which, not to mention, is strange it has a two sided mirror into the girls bathroom. I get it was to get proof, but that’s still weird). But then there’s the fact no one turned on those two when they not only watched Sabrina breakdown and turn against Chloe, her literal best-friend and master, but also watch Lila not try to comfort her at ALL, only continuing to try and turn it against Marionette in this honeyed tone. Like it’s just ridiculous (utterly) how much they twist the writing to make sure Lila gets away with her lying even though if they took like two seconds to add Adrien telling his story or someone else having common sense they never would’ve believed her.

Tags: descriptive, imagery, experiential.(wow this sounds so formal 😂)

Warnings: none

A/n: Well, this is my first post (after my restart) so I decided to start it on a positive note.😊 Anyway, hope you enjoy! Also the banner is made by me, but the stickers used are all from PicsArt. All credit for those goes to the orginal creator.

Opening the windows, letting the fresh air in, allowing the breeze to wander the house, so it may flip pages of open books, rustle the plants and ring the chimes. Sanctioning it to scatter the sheets all over the floor and dance with the curtains hung near the windows. The warm light follows in, soaking everything it touches in its soothing glory. The glassware sparkling in delight, inducing a rainbow in its presence. It's like the world has engulfed me into its green embrace.

I can hear its voice in the birds, its movements felt among the trees, its blood runs fresh within the rivers and its heart lies in the seas.

This can't possibly be real, a dream? Maybe my spirit showing me the fictitious world where I long to be; or did i get lost within the leaf of a book? My heart lies here, among the green, among the colours, among the quiet and the peaceful. Even the alluring moonlight cutting through the silence of the night, palpable to my colourless eyes beckons me to stay. Nevertheless my reality doesn't seem like this, it's something I cannot remember. Maybe I should go back, maybe it is as tranquil as is here. I'll leave now, I'll come back another day. But... Is this really right? Do I really want to leave? Am I not where I'm meant to be?

My mindless thinking was forcefully dissolved into a gentle kiss; a kiss by Mother Nature. A sign of safety, an essence of reassurance. Maybe I'll go back another day...

-END-

Figure 1 "Shirley Maclaine" (1962) by Philipe Halsman

“They say humans are social animals, they can’t live alone…but you can live pretty well by yourself.”

– Faye Valentine, Cowboy Bebop (1998)

 True solitude, like many aspects of life, is hard to achieve and appreciate. As a child, I spent more time lost in a world I created in my own head without much help from external resources.

As an adult, I have discovered that it is immeasurably hard to explain a desire for solitude to peers and colleagues without the threat of judgment or argument. We are taught to value time spent in the company of family and friends, to network in an effort to grow and develop, to socialize with strangers when placed in new environments. Oftentimes we seek validation through the acceptance of others and we strive to better ourselves at the expense of our own values and morals. Yet how often are we asked to stop looking for validation from these external resources, and examine what we feel is missing in ourselves? I have witnessed people commit themselves too terribly abusive relationships in the effort to keep their fear of loneliness at bay. I have heard people recount achievement after achievement in an effort to gain the good impression of some stranger whose impression is worthless. I have watched families grow and prosper on the façade of happiness at the expense of true happiness. Caused by the overwhelming fear of existing alone, this fear becomes so threatening that they would rather live a lie.

I will not be like them.

From a very early age, I knew that to be successful in life, I would need to emulate one person: my mother. She ingrained in me a powerful desire to stop at nothing to achieve my goals and live my life according to my own standards, even if that meant going against hers. Though she tried her best to set my life on the path of least resistance, I did not stand for any of it. Since reaching adulthood, I have strived to live a life of independence free from the shackles of her, or anyone else’s, emotional or fiscal assistance.

A wise man once said, “Your relationship with yourself sets the tone for every other relationship you have.” I have spent more than one quiet night pondering the truth of that statement and accepting the need to better myself before offering me to someone else to have and to hold unconditionally. To accomplish this monumental task, I know without a doubt that I must spend a sufficient amount of time with myself to understand my needs, wants and desires. I live with a truth so persistent that it makes its home at the very core of my essence. So persistent is this truth that it has been my constant shadow, sometimes overcast by the light and forgotten until the light, as light generally does, fades away.

Eventually, I stopped running and just accepted the need to unplug, unwind, and sit in the company of myself for the sake of self-improvement. I crave days where I can turn off communication with the outside world and revel in the glory of my own space and thoughts without the threat of outside influence. I do not equate true solitude to the ever-dreaded loneliness or emptiness as many others do, but more so acknowledge its needed presence to re-charge and re-focus on the aspects of life which I value exponentially. I find great achievement in my ability to return home at the end of a long shift interacting with stroke and traumatic brain injury survivors on their road to recovery. I look forward to the quiet hours of the night when my pets are curled around my lap and the glow of screens illuminates an imaginary world so real to me that I proceed to get lost in its colorful embrace for the remainder of the evening.

My identity has been shaped by the ever-present truth to prove to myself that I have the capability to maintain true independence in more ways than one. The need to conquer this challenge has caused the demise of more than one loving relationship; however, the need to unlock a hidden sanctuary has proven more powerful than any other false truth that I have ever created. I can now say without consequence that I have fully accepted this truth and have taken the first steps towards the true happiness of discovering what type of person I truly wish to be.

Like most people, my identity has been shaped partially by the experiences accumulated while in a committed relationship. Though at the time, I felt the need to be with my partners for one reason or another, I eventually fell back to the need to get away and be alone for the sole purpose of refilling my internal battery. I later discovered that, though cherished, these relationships did not provide the type of sustenance which my soul craved. I have accepted the truth that I will never defeat the crippling anxiety which manifests when even my most cherished friends and family linger in my sanctuary until I can prove that I can support myself without external validation. Not until I successfully perfect the art of enjoying my own company will I truly find self-fulfillment.  

In embracing my sanctuary, self-fulfillment, and solidarity I have rediscovered the euphoria of getting lost in my own head. I live a colorful life filled with self-love and acceptance. I have a clear view of true happiness on the horizon and even though I honestly may not know exactly where I am going, I am comfortable knowing that I have finally stopped running away from myself. I’m no longer digging deep holes searching for an invisible connection to the outside world. I do not measure my success against those of my peers because I fully accept that theirs are not my own. I spent a veritable amount of time yelling out to anyone who would listen, lifting my head and screaming out in a desperate attempt at getting others to understand the true feelings I had inside of me and all I really had to do was shut up and listen to myself to unlock what was there all along.

Post Essay Discussion Question

Even though you were writing about yourself and your own subjectivity, what can you “learn” about yourself that you may not have known before when considering the pictures you took, the CAM piece you chose, and about what you wrote? (this question is asking you to think about the vague, critical thing we’ve been discussing all semester, which is how genre is multidirectional; that is, we not only create it, but it also creates “us”).

Why I switched to natural deodorants and why you should too!

               This year, an estimated 250,000+ new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women.  The type of deodorant you use has been known to have some connection with this complication -- specifically antiperspirant deodorants. The disadvantages of using deodorant as antiperspirants far outweigh the advantages.

               In terms of personal hygiene, antiperspirant deodorants are designed to mask odor and are best to keep you away from sweating.  Unfortunately, some deodorants tend to leave stains and residues on clothes.  It is important to take note that the aluminum present in most deodorants plug sweat glands.  These plugs decrease wetness, and therefore, decreases the chance for bacterial growth. Most deodorants also contain alcohol and antimicrobial ingredients which help in reducing bacteria.  But then again, deodorants with aluminum may contribute to breast cancer development and are known to cause birth defects and in some cases Alzheimer's disease.  Excessive inhalation of deadly chemicals and skin allergies are also common health complications when dealing with deodorants.

               Deodorants with antiperspirants are certainly advantageous in terms of masking odor and decreasing the chances for bacterial growth, but we cannot set aside the possibility of developing cancer and birth defects.  Taking into consideration the disadvantages, natural deodorants such as alum are recommended as an alternative to antiperspirant deodorants. Natural deodorants are safe and will highly likely lessen the chances of having complications.