Week 16

To Sum Things Up: 
  I'm officially enrolled at UNP
  Classes Start August 6th 
  If you want to send something to me (something small, nothing too valuable unless it's sentimental) then drop it by my Dad's shop by the 4th of August between 8am to 8 pm. Don't wrap it unless it's a letter, envelopes are fine.
  Krystal/William's Goal 
  Good luck on the school semester, Everyone
  Those of you going through tough times or if you want/need someone to talk to my messenger is always open!! 

  Dedications: 
  Friends:
  Brandon&Skye 
  Sam 

  Family: 
  Dhexciah 
  Jen 

  My classes are: 
    Understanding The Self 
    Mathematics in the Modern World
    The Child&Adolescent Learners
    Technology for Teaching&Learning 
    Movement Enhancement 
    Kontekstwalisadong Komunikasyon sa Filipino (Tagalog Communication)
   Purposive Communication 
Building&Enhancing New Literacies 
    Literacy Training Service 1 

Dedications: 
Friends:

  Brandon: I know that you're not big on everyone knowing your business so I'll keep your dedication short. Brandon's a cool cat and has good taste in music. Clowns aren't my thing but he thinks they're bad ass. Miss you, bitch. I'll learn shit quick so I can head home. Miss ya, Bruh. 

  Skye: Gosh, you like almost all my post. I'm super happy to know that you keep up with me, Hun. I miss you a lot, really!  wanted to have a dedication to you so that everyone knows how awesome you are. You might not like the humidity here but I know that we'd have a lot of fun if you ever found yourself here in the Philippines. As I said, thank you so much for keeping up with me, Girlie. You're the best! Love you and miss you! Good luck with that new job of yours!

  Sam: I figured I should throw you in a dedication to you since I was mentioning Skye&Brandon. I still think you're cool. Poetry can be a foreign language to some so I'm glad you have a talent for it. Expressing one's emotions takes courage and confidence. Keep it up, dude. Share some of your poetry with me some time if you're bored! Any friend of my friend is one of my own. Strive on dude. I'll see you when I see you!

Family: 

  Dhexciah: You were the first person to help me learn Tagalog&Ilokano. Thanks for that! I still find it hard to believe that you're only a senior in senior high (Senior in High School as I'd say in the US). You have a big heart and I hope I'll be able to spend more time with you in the future. Good luck with your classes! I believe in you! You know that if you need anything, all you have to do is ask. I'll see what I can do to help. Though, know that I don't have all the answers lol. I'm willing to help you on what I can!

  Jen: Where do I start? Out of all of the family in the U.S I have, it dies down to you or Lorie Jane as my best friend. Lorie Jane is more of a sister while you're the awesome cousin but because you both are related through my dad's side y'all are my nieces. I miss you a lot! But it was probably for the best that we parted ways. I know you said Nebraska is boring but I still want to go. I have a goal to visit all 50 states! I think you've been to more than me. I hope I can help you learn Ilokano and Tagalog. The good thing about the language barrier here is that Filipinos can't always understand Filipinos and they are super friendly. Miss you, hope to see you soon.

  SEND ME STUFF BY AUGUST 4TH: I put this in caps because I want to make sure those of you who have gotten a hold of me to ask about mailing me something can see it. If you want to send me something do the following!!!

  What can/should you send: 

• Nothing Bulky, So something small 
• Examples: A Flash drive of music 
• A letter addressed to me with your mailing address so I can attempt to mail you a letter back. 
• Anything that reminded you of me 
• Pictures are always nice. I'll hang them up in the apartment I'm staying at (Developed pictures obviously) 

  What to do with the items once you've figured out what to send 

• DO NOT WRAP IT
• Unless it is a letter addressed to me in a small envelope, do not wrap it. Instead, leave your name with a sticky note or something. Customs have to be able to see what the item is and make sure it's nothing against policy. (Ex: Guns lol)
• If it is a letter to me, leave it in the envelope. Make sure you write your address so that I can try to send you a letter back. I should be able to send mail through the college. 
• Drop it off at my dad's shop between Monday-Saturday. He's there from 8am to 8pm for the most part. If you want to make sure he's there call 325 655 1886 and ask for Tex. If he's not there at the time that you come by, leave it at his booth. Or, if you're not comfortable with that you can always come by there later. He practically lives there lol.
• GO BY THERE BY AUGUST 4TH 

   I know that I didn't exactly give you a lot of time to prepare for this and if you don't send anything it's okay! Honestly, I rather my friends message me on Facebook and keep me updated on their life but I know that some of you really want to send me things and I don't mind it. I'll be sure to get each of you something in return. 

  What to get me if you don't have a clue and really want to send me something anyways. 

• Audio books from Garage Sells (I need something to listen to) 
• A spare music CD that you have lying around and haven't listened to in a while 
• Pens (XD I'm always up for pen donations) 
• 1-10 developed pictures that you have of us. Or a badass selfie of yours. I don't know, make sure it's placed in a ziplock 
• If you draw, I want a drawing! 
• Don't send me any cards guys. As much as I love Magic The Gathering, Pokemon, Yugioh, and ect... They will only get lost and not played 
• If you have a spare set of DnD dice, please!!! I need 5 sets at least!!! They don't have dice in the Philippines ):

  Donate: Some of you want to send me as little as $5 and as much as I'd love to take your money for a good cause I don't want it. I would rather you all donate to my friend who is in need. He is a Drag Queen and his mother had a stroke. He is currently the only one who is able to pay his mother's hospital bill. So please, put your donations towards this instead! 

Donate| Krystal's Instagram

His goal is 5K so please, any donation is helpful.! 

  Week 16: I've really fallen behind on these but I found myself waiting on my cousin's teachers so I suggested that we hang out at a computer cafe. I'll write as much as I can while I'm here. Overall, I'm excited! Whoa. I'm going to be going to school soon! Oh yea, so let me bring my schedule back up. 

 My classes are: 

    Understanding The Self 
    Mathematics in the Modern World
    The Child&Adolescent Learners
    Technology for Teaching&Learning 
    Movement Enhancement 
    Kontekstwalisadong Komunikasyon sa Filipino (Tagalog Comminication)
   Purposive Communication 
Building&Enhancing New Literacies 
    Literacy Training Service 1 

  I will share how my first day of school goes for sure because I don't know what Understanding the Self is. I'm assuming it's an introduction class, maybe even one that helps direct students to figure out a schedule for themselves since most of these first year students are 18. Fun fact: Those of you who graduated up until 2014 would have graduated in 2012 in the Philippines. After the 2012 class the school program changed and they introduced Senior High. Before that there was Elementary Kinder through Sixth and then High School which was Seventh through Tenth. 

  All of the names of these classes are all fancy lol. Mathematics is Math, Movement Enhancement is P.E (Physical Education), and Purposive Communication is Speech. (At least that's what I interpreted lol).

  Then there's Child&Adolescent Learners. I already met the teacher for that and she's nice. She wanted to teach me Ilokano. Technology for Teaching is another General Education specific course. I have no idea what Building and Enhancing New Literates is, it might be my English class lol. 

  Kontekstwalisadong Komunikasyon sa Filipino is my Tagalog class and in the same way that the American English class is not about literally learning how to speak English this course is the same where they talk about Tagalog and not focus on the 'how to speak Tagalog'. 

  My classes are from Monday to Saturday. What? Saturday. Yea, Saturday. It sucks but that's alright. I don't know what a Literacy Training Service is but I do know others are having to take this course with me so there's that. I'm hoping to get to the school an hour early and stay an hour late so that I can help some of my teachers with whatever they need and so that I can get some practice in Tagalog and or Ilokano. I know that some of them might not be willing to spend that type of time with me and that's fine. I already know of two teachers who are willing to help me and two is enough but I'd like to practice with different people. 
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  For those of you who are starting a new semester, good luck! I'll be doing my best and I have faith in all my friends. Don't forget to try to get some sleep, drink water, and spend time outside of school work to be with friends and family. If you every need anyone to talk to, I'm here. 

  Also! Family who is having to do essays in English, I'm willing to read over them but I can only take so many at time so message me and I'll let you know if I have time to read over it! 

  Generally speaking, if any of my friends need someone to talk to, my messenger is always open. Remember that I'm 13 hours ahead of you (If you're in Central Time). If you message me, I'll do my best to message you back as soon as I can! I love chatting with you all. That being said!! Down below is my Instagram. If you follow me and I see that you have less followers than the people you follow I"ll follow you. If you do have a ton of followers, message me and say hi. I'll follow you back if you take the time to actually talk to me but otherwise I won't follow you back. 

  Questions: I wanna hear what you guys are thinking! What's on your mind? Next week I'm thinking of tagging a few people and start a Q&A so be ready! I might tag you next! I want to thank you all for reading these and supporting who I am. I know that I do the same for you all but it doesn't hurt to be thankful. 

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Ideas: I'm thinking of starting queuing Ilokano, Tagalog, Itneg, Spanish, and English lessons so stay tuned! These will start in August! Thanks again, y'all. Until next time,

Dj, Cho, Shinar

Elementary Building

Part of an elementary school building here in the Philippines in Bantay

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Hotel Decoration

Flowers at Ann Tony's Transient House
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Princess!

This is Princess, My Inang's dog. I dont know what breed she is. But it's common here in the Philippines

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Side View of one of the Elementary Buildings

Side view of one of the Elementary buildings in the Philippines. I taught a class their ABCs here!

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Isaw Miki

Isaw Miki - Cafe Uno @ Grandpa's Inn Vigan City Ilocus Sur

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Support

One of my friends is going through a tough time right now and I want to do everything I can to show my support for him! His mother had a stroke and he is the only source of income to pay for his mother's hospital bill and their personal bills. He does drag and has gorgeous photos!

Here's his Instagram

And here's the link to donate! 

Even a small $5 donation will help him towards his goal. Let's show William/Krystal that a supportive community still exist! 

$345 Raised so far (7.17.18) 

Feel free to share this post if you cannot donate or share it if you can. I'm sure he's appreciate it! Share the love and support everyone!!! 

First Night At The Apartment!

7.16.18 Monday

  First night in the apartment! Whoa this whole dorm thing is super new to me. So I live more in a dorm than an apartment. There's a public kitchen, public bathroom/shower area, and a public place to wash your clothes. I'll make sure to take pictures. But man. Is it dusty up in this dorm! Whoever lived in the room I'm in smoked because as I was wiping down the area i could see that layer of yellow that I'm familiar with. I wiped my bed area twice and I'll go over it again later. Dust bunnies fell from the top bunk. Like. Oh no! This is NOT how i'm going to live lol. My feet were filthy at the bottom. There is a private kitchen area and bathroom as well.

  The only reason why I know there's a public bathroom is because I was in the public cooking area waiting for the water to boil in the kettle me and Dimer bought today and this guy that lives on the 3rd floor walks out with a towel slung iver his shoulder in the nude. I hear him and turn and he just grins and I'm like ....😅😶... *looks away quickly*

  He apparently hasn't had to deal with many attendants in the dorms since he moved in early. There's a balcony in the cooking area so I decided to open the sliding door to it and sit in the available chair which so happened to be next to his dorm.

  So he finishes showering, I look up again because I hear someone and he has that grin on his face again. This time, I smile back, just glad he has the towel around his waist this time.

  Like. There's no hope. I'm going to have to get to know him now. I've already seen more of him than I've asked for so. Welp.

  Today me and Dimer bought a kettle, 2 blankets, food for tonight, and 1 fan. I didnt have enough to buy two. Dimer is probably going to sleep with the windows open and I feel bad about that. I do know that if we get an AC (or Aircon as they keep calling it lol) it'll be in my room because Dimer cant stand the cold. He likes cool not cold. And he can take hot.

  Tomorrow I'll be going to an Elementary with one of my teachers. She is my (something about childrens behavior I think). I spent some time with her today. I also spent 1k for the kids and honestly I'm probably not going to do that again. It's not me being selfish but I can't flaunt my money around like that or people will think that I have an endless supply and the truth is, I don't.

  The teacher's name is Mrs. Alma. She has 3 kids so I'm assuming she's married but she may not be because she never mentioned a husband. She's super nice and we can make jokes with each other. I'll be handing out hygene supplies and teaching the kids the English Alphabet. In the Philippines they call the alphabet ABAKADA where as we call the alphabet The ABC's. She asked me to pick a song to teach them since I told her I could sing. (I should stop sharing information so blately lol it's like these people pay attention or something xD).

  I chose the ABC's because you can sing Twinkle Twinkle and other sings but I can't remember pther titles. Let me know if y'all can remember any with the same rhythem because if Mrs. Alma let's me go and interact with the kids again I will. (But i won't pay for her expeses).

  I don't want to remove my piercings in fear of lossing the holes but it's probably going to happen since the lip/mouth area is the fastest to heal. Welp. There goes $70 i suppose. Plus the amount i spent on piercings.

  Mrs. Alma said I'll be taking classes for 4 years and taking 1 intership year. That's longer than I thought but honestly. It's okay. I'll definatly be able to speak Ilocano, Tagalog, and Itneg by then. I still want to learn Spanish so for those of you who can speak it please! Help me out! I have Doulingo. But i dont always have connection.

  Alright. So. I have a lot of dedications written in my notes hut I havent posted any. So I'm thinking of having them separately listed later on that way people can read their dedication and I can know if I've dedicated to them already. I want to show my support for all my friends because all of you support me and that's what friends do!
--

These dedications are for people who are currently stuggling. One way or another. I want them to know that I support them and I want you all to have them in your thoughts and/or in your prayers. Thank you ❤

Luna: Im sorry for your loss, Hun. Your brother will always be watching over you. I'm sure his love for you will always be within you. If I was there. I'd comfort you but this all I got. For those of you who pray, keep her in her prayers. And those of you who don't keep her in her thoughts. Lossing someone we love always hurts one way or another. Love ya girl, be strong!

Krystal Mirage: You always post beautiful pictures. I want you to know that (:. Everyone, my friend is going through a rough time. If you could keep them and their mother in your prayers that would help them spiritually.
  I dont have too many memories with William, but I do support everything he does.

Here's a link to his donation page everyone. As little as $5 will make a difference.

https://www.gofundme.com/road-to-recovery-for-teresa-moreno

Samantha Howell: Both of her parents were admitted into the hospital on the 11th. They both have chest pain and an additional health issue. We were in Band together back in High School. They are sp

ending their anniversary in the hospital so please! Keep them in your thoughts!!
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July 12 2013: #88: Loss of Jason Roberts. The time I felt the whole school's spirit shake

  I remember being on the computer at my sister's house while watching her dogs and a sudden feeling came over me. I stopped what I was doing and suddenly checked facebook. When something happens to my friends or something effecrs a mass of my friends I can feel it. And I don't know how else to explain that.

  I logged in my feed was full of sadness, heartache, and references that i didnt understand. All I knew was that someone had died. But who? So I google it and I find an interview with one of my elementary mates, Eli Peterson. Him and Jason had gone to the gym early that morning and now, suddenly, he was gone.

  My heart sank. All of the references suddenly made sense and I exited the browser to type a poem. A long one that I don't have a copy of. It was about Jason and how he changed the school how his smile lit up thehalls and his laugh was so joyful. He was really an inspiration. His favorite mlvie was the Titanic and he was going to be in football. He was in band as a bass clarinet player but he found more passion in football. Jason was one of thoee people who never frown. He always seemed so happy despite the hardship that I learned after this death. I could only imagine how his grandmother felt. She outlived not only her daughter (Jason's mother) but also her grandbaby. At the time, my heart didnt know how to take the news so I did what I could to participate in his honor. I went to his funeral, there was a candle cermeony, and I wrote the poem hoping that my care for him would be heard.

  This week marks 5 years since he departed and I can still feel his impact on the world. And honestly, I hope one day, I can have the same impact on others that he had. I had only one meory of Jason. One definate memory that I felt bad about. Back in Junior high I was very aggresive and he had made fun of me for being short so I grabbed his neck from behind, slung him down and began to kick him in the face. After that, we were good. He never made fun of me for being short. I don't care if someone makes fun of my height now. All I wish is that I had a better memory of Jason besides that. I guess his smile, laugh, and purity is enough to say that he made an impact in my life.

  For those of you who still think about Jason, don't worry. He's in our heart and he cared for each and every one of us. He wouldn't want us to be sad over his departure. Instead, we should look forward to seeing him and when that time comes, we can catch up. In the meantime, we should live like he did. Smile every day, be positive, and laugh like there's no tomorrow. Because you ever know what the future holds.

A Field Of Sta. Maria

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A River In Apayao

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Buying Meat in The Philippines

Unlike in the US where there are OSHA standards against this very picture, the meat in the Philippines is sold like this. It is fresh and has no preservatives. There is a person you talk to when you figure out what you want and how much of it. You tell them and they pack it in plastic for you. And yes, I mean a simple plastic bag like the one you use in the produce section at any grocery store lol. They tie it and attach a sticker to it like the Meat Department does at a grocery store except there is no flat bottom to hold the meat flat lol. They do this in the produce section too.

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Week 12

Okay. I currently owe you all like 5 weeks of post so here it goes. Right now I am on my way to Vigan City so I can take my entrence exam. Today is Friday July 6th.

  Recovered: I am free from Stsph Infection and my skin is better excema wise!

School: My Entrence Exam is tomorrow so wish me luck everyone!!! I'll let y'all know how I do.

D&D(Dungeons and Dragons):   Since my cousin Dimer showed interest in playing D&D I have been working on setting a campeign for him and 2 other people he finds to play the gsme with us. I'm excited to be a DM (Dungeon Master).
  Beforw I left Texas I was playing a campeign with my friends. Amanda was our DM, and the party consisted of Hannah, Jacob, Tim, and Aaron. I've come to enjoy the game of D&D and I miss my game nights with those friends. I want them all to know I miss them. I didnt realize how much of an impact I made on my friends. I knew I meant something to them because they all mean something to me but it wasn't until ileft that I saw the effect on my friends and I am sorry guys. Really, I am. But life said I needed a change and here is where i ended up. I hope yo post some of the adventures in the campeign here so be ready!!! Also, if you play D&D let me know some of the stories that come out of your campeigns. I love heard about D&D it's so interesting and fun to listen too!

  Zach: Okay so Zach wanted me to make 'Shorts' of an anime but it'll be more of a written manga sort of thing. He wanted me to call it "The Next Buddha" but I'm going to call it Igorot (E-go-rah-t) because that's what I'll call my character. I have piercingd and tattoos and that's an old trsdition so that's what I'll call it.
  It's going to be a Comedy. I want friends who are interested in drawing the shorts into comics to message me because I would love to post the comics here to the blog.
  There will be arcs. The current arc will be the current time of me being in the Philippines. I'll have an Arc for thr times when I was in Jr High and High School. And I'll have an Arc for the Game Nights that I was able to go to. I have stuff written already it's a matter of bing able to post it since my wifi is yet again messing up.

  Wifi: Wifi here makes me so mad. I could have prevented this at the airport but my mom and aunt DO NOT get along so I'm having to fight the 3rd world way of living with this wifi problem. It's not 100% bad. Honestly, nature had a mesmerizing song if you take the time to listen to it. But even though I want to post once a week sometimes I canr even do that.

  The first problem Ihad was that the network (somehow) would stral my load. It would randomly drain.

  Then there are times when I cant load my phone because i dont have a load card.

  And now my wifi sim, where you preload load to it won't let me log into it. So the wifi is locked. I plan to get it fixed in Vigan or not use it anymore.

Im also thinking of getting this sim called 'Load Wallet' it's a safe way to store load and I can sell it. So i can make money off of it. I can charge up to P5 per transaction. I'll probably only do P2 though lol.

  Languages: I havent done muh talking. I try. And i am better at understand the people here but I'm nowhere near fluent. Tagalog is the easiest for me to pick up on. But i cant avoid learning Ilocano and Itneg so I go ahead and learn as much as I can.  The great thing about this place is that Filipinos don't understand each other so it makes the intimidation less dominate. People are happy that I try to speak their languages and I'm happy they try to speak English. But. Let's be real here. Would you rather speak 108 languages or English? I opt for 108 languages. Lol

  Something the people here don't get is that people who 'English' butcher English. So while Filipinos try to learn the proper way to speak English us Americans are over here saying Oh-range vs R-ange and us Texans stop bothering to speak proper English when we came up with the word Y'all'd've. And no, I won't tell you what that means outright. Ask any Texan you know for the meaning of Y'all'd've.

  Work: So before I left the US I was working at Dollar General as a Key Holder (shift mananger). And before that I worked as an Overnight Sales Associate so basically was a manager. I got fired because I spoke up about the Store Manager not doing their job. I knew they weren't doing their job because I was the one doing their job.

  Well! I found out they got fired. Im so happy. They got what they deserved. And! There's hope that I can go back to working for that company WITH managing experiance! I'm so excited and I hope if I apply I can come back to the company. I know, it sounds crazy. Why would I want to go back to a Gas Station job? Because I loved it. The job was simple and easy and I worked my shift and went home. And went back the next night. It was great.

  So if push comes to shove I can work at the gas station again. And if not, there are other has stations. So there's hope.

  What I hope to change when I come back: What I want to be is a tutor. I csn pick up Substitue jobs in any city I'd like, to find kids who need to be tutored. I want to charge based on people's income they way they can afford my tutoring. I kmow that sounds odd but I'll have a down payment that'll get them so many hours in a week with me. I'll have a schedule of many hours a day we'll have and what it'll add up to in a month.

  I don't believe a person can learn properly if there isnt repetition and review. I dont know how I'll do it just yet but I get to practice here in the Philippines. I want to tutor other students in English. I was told to charge more than P100 but I'm trying to learn not make money. The P100 is to ensure the student shows up and to ensure that I have time for the person. I have to make lessons for the tutoring and when I tried to write a lesson in the same manner that a Tagalog learning book started i realizd how difficult English is.

  I was wondering what was taking so long. There's a wreak up ahead. The philippines traffic has become better with more structure but they are still very behind with no traffic lights, hardly any signs, and no street lights. Which is fine. It's not like we obey the traffic laws anyway in the US (what's a turning signal? Oh is that stop sign a suggestion. I'll think about it.) Lol.

  The drivers here are better than ours in the US. They know how to communicate. Which is MORE to say than in the US lol.

  Well everyone, I'm going to take my test in 30 minutes. Keep me in your thoughts. I'm nervous but I can do this. I know because a lot of people have faith in me. *inhales sharpy*

  Wish me luck, Shinar/Cho/DJ

Distant View of "Castle In The Sky"

Castle In The Sky owned by my Uncle Joaquin Agatep! He's not blood but he considers me blood so I'm happy about that lol. The man lives here and has made a project out of it. Many more pictures will be posted in the future!

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Sopas!

SOPAS!

Hotdog, cabbage, Soap, Elvow Noodles

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Petrons AKA Gas Stations

Here in the Philippines people
1) Don't pump their own gas
2) Pay per Liter NOT by Gallon
3) Don't care to get a liscense unless theyre in the city
4) Drive anyways
5) Learn at like ages 12-14 how to drive motorcycles and dont learn how to drive a car or truck unless it's their profession.

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"Me-ey I join you?"

This guy. me and my younger cousin Kervon were waiting for my Uncle Mac to come back from the store in Candon and this goat decides... oh! You have feed? FOR ME? Like nah. Sorry bruh. But I'll take yo picture dou

Vigan City Table Set Up

I Forget where exactly this is. hut the food was good. There was only 1 cashier and 1 waiter. They served us well until they got hit with a full house and I wasnt even mad because I know EXACTLY how that feels.

Santiago Dagat!

Santiago Beach/Dagat/Baybay/Playa

English/Tagalog/Ilocano/Spanish :)

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