han❀

[justanchorandhope]

I’ve read most of the works on your recommendation list. Do you have any more?

Fics? I don’t read fic anymore! But if you’re looking for books, check out my good reads

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/20583859-ashley

[lavendersucculents]

When you guys have visited potential apartments, what kind of questions did you ask besides the basics like what rent and utilities include?

[dynastylnoire]

Here are questions I didn’t ask but should have: what does the basement look like?

What measures are taken to secure the building ?

Are the walls thin? Brief info of who lives in the building. Are they college kids? People that work through the day? Elderly? Is it a mix? Where does the garbage go?

Can I pay rent bi-weekly? What kind of fuses does the apartment use? (My fuse box is in the basement. If I blow a fuse I have to replace it myself. They screw until the box. All of which I didn’t know until it happend and I was sitting in the dark suddenly)

[audreynical2]

Who do I call for repairs? (If it’s a private rental) Am I allowed to paint the walls? Is there any additional storage? Do you do regular pest control?

[werewolfau-deactivated20180321]

count the outlets, ask about recycling policies, ask if there’s a noise restriction (nothing loud after midnight, everything goes on the weekend, etc)

LAUNDRY FACILITIES Definitely ask about security Whether subletting is allowed (esp if you’re in college and might want to sublet for the summer) If you have a car, whether there’s parking/how much it costs What kind of heating/AC there is Procedure/response time for any maintenance How mail/packages are received/protected from theft (seriously people stealing your packages can be a huge problem) What kind of verification of your salary will they want, and in what circumstances will they accept a guarantor instead? Whether the apartment is furnished

Assuming you are in the middle of looking at/choosing between places: When does the lease start? Are you going to give preference to people based on when they can move in? Whether groups of a certain number of people get preference Really anything about who they prioritize for applications, it can save you a lot of trouble in trying to apply to places you’ll never get into

[gizkasparadise]

not something for asking the realtors, necessarily, but important rights you should be aware of as a tenant:

when and for what reasons are your landlords allowed to enter your home? how much of a notice should they give you before entering?

can the landlord make modifications to your home or apartment without your approval? to what extent?

what are the options and conditions for breaking your lease early if there’s an emergency? (this is ESPECIALLY important for anyone moving to a new state/considerable distance where you are not able to visit the apartment/home before you rent – students get taken advantage of ALL THE TIME with this shit)

if your first or last month at the property is a partial stay (i.e. you move in on july 15th, and rent is typically due on the first) make sure you don’t pay the full first month’s rent before you know the area laws! in many states, you are only legally required to pay for the time you are occupying the property

is renter’s insurance necessary? many apartments want at least 30k coverage, which can run a couple hundred dollars extra per year

are the landlords/property management liable for crimes on the property? for example, if your car was broken into. if not GET RENTER’S INSURANCE

[lmaodies]

-ask if there’s any property upkeep you can do to get a bit off the rent (aka, can they take 100$ off the monthly rent if you maintain the lawns/garden, etc.) 

-ask if there’s been any consistent/frequent trouble with electricity/internet connectivity/cable if you have it

-what KIND of electricity? 

-what kind of heating (hot water/electric)

-how secure is the neighborhood (if you don’t know) 

-ANY PLUMBING ISSUES? check ALL the fucking taps, the showers, EVERYTHING WITH WATER to make sure it all works right. 

[seagodofmagic]

-ANY PLUMBING ISSUES? check ALL the fucking taps, the showers, EVERYTHING WITH WATER to make sure it all works right. 

I CANNOT SECOND THIS ENOUGH.

[remisstoreality]

ALSO

- who last lived here? why did they leave?

[jenniferrpovey]

- Do they charge an “amenities fee” (Around here you can’t avoid them at all now, but some places you might still be able to)

- Do they have a policy on rent increases? (Also check if there’s a legal limit to rent increases in the area).

- Are utilities paid in a separate check or with the rent?

- Are utilities metered or pro-rated (in older buildings it’s common to be charged by square footage and/or number of occupants, which can leave you subsidizing the people who turn the a/c down to 60 in the summer or the heat up to 80 in the winter - you may not be able to avoid this but it’s worth trying).

- Are there any switched circuits in the apartment. Buildings built in the late sixties through the early eighties often have switched circuits. If they do, then with the number of devices used these days you will probably have to have something important on the switched circuit - tape the switch in the on position! (Trust me).

- What are the rules on hanging pictures?

- Who is responsible for paying for and replacing bulbs in permanent fixtures? If it’s you and there’s a fixture with weird/unusual bulbs (globe style, chandelier style, etc) ask where you can buy the bulbs.

- What are the rules about pets? Do they have breed specific restrictions on dogs? Size restrictions on fish tanks? (Believe it or not that’s not uncommon).

[crimeshetyped]

This will be so useful once my lease is up thanks tumblr ☺️🙏🏾

[kittleimp]

If you have roommates, even if they’re your friends, ask what happens if one person moves out. Who is responsible for their rent? What about security deposit, how much is it and what do you have to do to document existing damages before you move in?

[cappurrccino]

- It’s boring as hell, but read the lease before you sign it! Ask questions and clarify anything you notice that seems weird or that you don’t understand. I had a landlord that required I get the carpets professionally steam cleaned (which I didn’t realize until we were moving out because I didn’t read the entire lease) and another that tried to keep part of my security deposit because I didn’t pay for professional cleaning, but we got the money back because it wasn’t part of their lease that we’d signed.

- Take pictures/make detailed notes about damages already present on move-in. Add additional sheets to what they give you if needed because chances are they’re going to be just as nitpicky when you move out to try and keep part of your security deposit.

- An addition to the hanging pictures - ask what they allow you to use (nails/screws or tape only) and whether they want you to repair the holes to keep part of your deposit. If you’re planning to wall mount your TV, ask specifically about using molly bolts because they’re going to leave a much larger hole than a picture nail.

[itstimeforcomics-blog]

its time for fall!!!!!!!!!!!!

[a-spoon-is-born]

IT’S TIME FOR MY FAVORITE SEASONAL COMIC AGAIN

[harrystylesdaily]

Harry for Gucci Pre Fall 2018 (via Instagram Sponsored Ads)

[justalittlebitofme23]

now that i’ve worn out, i’ve worn out the world

[fortheloveofh]

Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers

chapter fourteen

The paint Niall had leant them varied from pastel pink, to deep blue to bright yellow. They weren’t sure what they wanted to paint, Quinn was quite happy to sit on the floor and just paint for hours.

read on tumblr story page here

[justalittlebitofme23]

love. 3.6.18

lately i’ve been thinking about love. and what it would be like to be in love.

in a little over a month, i will be an adult. and although this is exciting and a new chapter of my life, i can’t help but feel as though something is missing. as though something could add to my life. and every time i think about it, my brain comes back to love.

as much of a cliché as it sounds, i’ve always wanted to be in love. ever since i was a little girl i would imagine the day where a nice boy loved me and all my quirks. but as time as gone on, i have realized a couple of things. 1) i close myself off from people when they want to get to know me better and 2) sometimes i feel like i’m impossible to love.

now i know in reality and from friends and family telling me that i can tend to close off and be more introverted when i meet new people. however, they have told me that on the contrary, i am easy to love.

this reassurance was what i needed to remember that i am capable and worthy of love.

this thought reminded me of a bible verse that stays with me everyday.

“love is patient. love is kind. it does not envy. it does not boast, it is not proud. it’s not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered. it keeps no record of wrongs. love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. it always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13

[passthecavasier]

The Pacific Northwest is fucking Perfect

[bad-intentixns]

Holy shit

[things-i-tell-myself]

I’m such an old-fashioned, romantic, love letters, hand holding, yours forever kind of girl

[inkskinned]

there’s a myth that teachers work seven hours a day, nine months a year. there’s this joke: name three reasons to become a teacher - june, july, august. 

if you’re worth your salt, you know better. you know the day usually is at least nine hours long, if not twelve (thanks, staff meeting that ran late again), you know that you spend your summers locked in small rooms learning and re-learning the smallest tactic that might help your students; endlessly on Pintrest because oh my gosh, isn’t that just the best idea for a sensory table. or a new name board. or this would really help them understand the activity; yes it’s going to cost me but gosh, isn’t it lovely. you know that being a teacher also sometimes means being a parent, kind of, and being a jailer, kind of, and being a hardass, kind of, and being the kindest person in their life. you know sometimes your role is “you gave me the hope i needed to keep studying” and sometimes it’s “you showed me i needed to work harder.”  being a teacher is watching the entire series of my little pony just because it’s what’s cool with the kids and you think you could make a curriculum from it and it’s also deliberately pretending you don’t understand cultural references just because it makes kids squirm. it’s giving “a little extra” all the time, every day, a little extra points for that one student who needs it, a little extra hug, a little extra thought, and time, and emotional labor, and heart, and heart, and heart.

the interesting thing about being both a student and teacher at certain points in my life means that i came face-to-face with the idea i was going to lay down my life for a student before i’d even hit 21. at 19, taking lessons on how to distract a shooter should-it-ever-occur; a cop looked me in the face. “are you ready?” he asked. “will you die for them?” he had a gun on his hip. i hadn’t even met my class yet.

sometimes, i don’t match perfectly with my students. i mean, you always like them, a little, even if they drive you nuts, but some kids just won’t click with you. it’s kind of a hard thing to learn; you assume it’s because of you, and your failure to become some movie-star teacher who touches the life of every bill and sally. but the truth is, kids got stuff going on at home and in their bodies and in their friends and they don’t always have time or energy to be patient and listen or whatever you need from them. but you try, you know. and then you’re asked. hey, this kid that won’t listen, that hits other kids, that uses slurs. you’ll die for him, right? you’ll give up that big beautiful future you got, that family that loves you, that home and that slice of cake. you’ll give up that summer cruise you’ve saved up for since july and your brother’s wedding. for this kid? 

i do have, like. a gauge about things. sometimes, and i mean this truly and deeply, i am simply not paid enough for certain nonsense. no, no, who cares i’m not paid enough for crayons or markers or books or literally half the supplies i have in my classroom (i’ll find a way, in my budget, to provide, always, every time, no matter what it takes out of my mouth). usually it’s inter-community drama or parents who are somehow standing in the way of their student’s education or administration yet again slashing an important lesson/curriculum/whatever-they-get-their-hands-on. i’m not paid enough for a lot of things, but i still do them. i’m not paid enough to make your children extra food or be sure they get their vitamins. i’m certainly not paid enough to die for them.

often the argument “just bring a gun” comes up. how silly to anyone who has worked with children. there’s safety risks, huge safety risks, and then there’s anything in a classroom. if you think something is safe, it is not. kids will find a way to hurt themselves on nothing but an empty floor if you give them the time. i wonder if this what they tell police officers who were shot in the line of duty - well, it sucks but you should have had some type of superhuman reflex and simply not been shot. after all, you had a gun. this personal gun somehow cancels out the bigger automatic gun. two wrongs make a right. my personal gun would somehow empower me in such a way that i could not only predict the movements of a shooter but also have the aim, calm, and consideration to shoot him before he shot me. my teaching degree did not come with a CIA training course. i have bad vision. i know, faithfully, in the pit of my stomach, where the tiny terrors are that, should i even have a gun, i would not shoot it. i wonder, always. what would that look like. the police don’t know who is the hero when they break down doors. and, should i die in that classroom, my death will have a whisper: don’t politicize it. let it, the others say, remain meaningless.

sometimes a cop will look at you and ask, are you ready? are you willing? are you comfortable knowing that this humble job, this often-thankless, often-joyful job: it has a policy expecting you to face a man armed to the teeth. and die for each child in that classroom, even the child who drives you nuts, even when you aren’t paid enough, even when you’re giving up your family and your love, even when people will blame you for not having a gun. and you know, somehow, the minute you step into a classroom. you know the minute you see them. it rings in your chest like a second heartbeat: yes, yes, yes, i would gladly do it, i would die twice if i was allowed to do it, if i could save one, if i could save any, yes, of course, unhesitatingly. because you love them, even when you hate your job, and you love them in a way that means you know would stretch out your body at 19 years old and give it up, because, somehow, you understand “protect and serve” in the core of your bones, in the grit of you, that these children are yours, are an extension of your twelve-hour days and hungry belly and endless working, and that the love you have will make that choice effortless, easy, a promise you make even if nobody ever asks for it.

okay. 

three days ago, my second graders came in from the cold when i got the first question. a tug on my sleeve. “miss raquel?” her eyes are dry. she’s just thinking. “when a shooter comes, are we ready?”

and i realized: we’re asking them to die, too.

[tifftoffy-blog]

[tifftoffy-blog]

18 things I learned at 18

this post will most likely be adapted into a youtube video (depending on my schedule and work load this week) but i figured writing it out first would be easier. i actually haven’t turned 18 quite yet; there’s about 8 days left. however, i feel like it’s going to take me a while to reflect on life lessons so might as well start now. here we go..

1. never hide yourself to “fit” in

this one is kinda extremely important, and i don’t think i even understood it myself until this past year. i used to be so self conscious about what i said in front of others simply because i wanted them to like me. this past year, I’ve learned that being yourself makes you happy, especially when you meet people who accept that. as soon as you find your people, you don’t really give a crap about what others think anymore.

2. you can be crazy, but not too crazy

crazy is actually my middle name. when I’m with my closest friends, i tend to let loose because i feel like i’m in a safe and judgement free environment. however, sometimes i forget how to compress myself when I’m not with my friends. i totally support the whole “be the real you 24/7″ thing, but sometimes when the real you is as insane as i am, you should probably tone it down just a bit so you don’t drive people away.

3. never idolize people in your head

not gonna lie, I’m already an awkward human being when it comes to talking to “cool” people. but I’ve learned that the only reason I’m awkward around these certain people is because I’ve built them up in my head to be something that they aren’t in real life. if you think of them like any other person, it really shouldn’t be a big deal. however, i have a huge imagination, and that plus my naive little mind = total and utter awkwardness when conversing with people. during my sophomore year, i had an AWFUL and embarrassing crush on a senior boy. it was kind of a like a celebrity crush thing. i practically put him on a pedestal without even knowing him really. when i look back, it always makes me laugh (and cringe) about how i handled that situation. i think i definitely learned my lesson about this one- you can ask any one of my closest friends :’’] (that is supposed to be a sweaty smiley face okay)

4. when you have nothing significant to lose, take the risk

some of the coolest and most memorable things that i’ve been through have all been because of risks i’ve taken. nuff said.

5. treasure your friendships

turning 18 means that time is running out. soon, I’ll be starting over in a new city, meeting new people, and ultimately living a new life. that’s why I say this: treasure your friendships as much as you can. the first 18 years go by so quickly, and before you know it, your time will be up.

6. stop caring about others

this one is a biggy. i don’t know if i can even specifically describe it. it kind of goes back to point 1. when you stop caring, you find yourself focusing on YOU more than others. this is so so SO good for you, trust me.

7. if you made a promise, keep it

i don’t know what i did to deserve such amazing, forgiving friends. there have been countless times in my life where I’ve said things i couldn’t stand by. you may not be lucky enough in life to find people who are that forgiving, and if that is really the case, always stick by your word.

8. forgive and forget

switching to a different point of view now: if someone has wronged you in the past, let it go. now i don’t mean you have to go and become best friends with them and act like nothing ever happened. just don’t become bitter and go out of your way to personally degrade them. if two people split apart, then it is God’s plan, and the best thing that you can do in that situation is simply walk away.

9. work hard in school

i think it’s actually really funny that i’m including this as one of my lessons. (maybe it’s because i’m asian?) but for real though, i don’t think it hit me how important high school was until the end of my junior year. (which is very unfortunate since that is your most important year) i could’ve put in so much more effort. so if you’re reading this and you are still in high school, take a step back and think about how important this really is for college and your future..

10. it’s totally okay to cry sometimes

fun fact about me: i have a crying collage. yes, it’s a thing. no, it’s totally not a joke :) if you knew me in real life, you would know that i actually cry a lot. (prob like once a week or two) most of the time it’s for a specific reason or person, but other times, i just do it to let all my worries out. maybe i sound like a complete psycho right now saying this, but the feeling after a really good cry just comforts me. so don’t feel embarrassed about it! it’s healthy and it’s our way of coping of stress.

11. pray continuously

faith is a big part of my life. i don’t show it too much online because i’m not super comfortable with that. (if you are, i’m not hating at all, it’s just a personal preference for me) i’ve found that the more i’ve prayed, the stronger I’ve felt in my faith. it’s important to establish a routine in which you devote time to the Lord. mine usually happens right before i sleep. on bad days and on good days, prayer really helps!

12. only cut a friendship if it is toxic and/or hurting you

i hate ending friendships. i try my best to avoid it. however, if it comes to a point where things just aren’t healthy anymore for both people, i have to admit that it’s not a good idea to keep it.

13. time will heal a broken heart

whether it involves an ex, a best friend, or maybe even a family member, time will always heal. it may not feel like it at that exact moment. you may feel like you will never be happy again. try and remember the last time you were reallysad. for me, it was probably a month ago. i thought i would never get over it, but look at me now, happily typing away on my computer. i’ve gone through so many moments in life where i felt like my heart was in pieces, but time always heals it, sometimes in a month or sometimes in a year.

14. the golden rule: treat others the way you want to be treated

if you’re complaining about how no one is there for you in your rough times, it might be because you can’t see it the other way around. in order to receive comfort and love from another individual, we must also give our attention to their problems. only then can we truly grow together and develop trust in our relationships.

15. be humble; know when you are in the wrong

SIT DOWN AYYY bE HUMBLE AYYY. sorry- had to… but for real, this is important if you want to keep close relationships. it’s no secret that fights will break out between you and your friends, and when you realize you’re in the wrong, the best thing to do is just admit it. there’s no point in dragging on a petty fight when you already know the conclusion. it saves you time and always helps you in becoming a more mature person.

16. mental health is SO important

just like everyone else in the world, i’ve been through some rough stuff. it’s okay to take days where you need to be alone. i’ve learned these past 18 years that your mind is indeed more important than your physical body.

17. write your thoughts and feelings out

sometimes when i get really anxious, sad, or mad, i just write everything i’m feeling down. it doesn’t even have to be in the form of a song. this lesson is one of the main reasons i created a blog for myself, where i could vent out my opinions and feelings. (sappy i know) but even if you aren’t a very public person, you can still write things out in your notes app or computer and then just delete them afterwards. (that’s what i do with the super personal stuff lol) it’s important to vent out your emotions, especially when you don’t have anyone to talk to at that moment. it just feels really nice. give it a try sometime.

and last but not least,

18. live everyday like it’s your last

i know this one sounds sappy but hear me out: everyday it’s the exact same routine. wake up, school, homework, friends, sleep. if you think about it, it’s actually quite depressing. however, just because we have the same routine everyday doesn’t mean we have to be confined to it. there are so many different things we can do or say to others that make each day different. there are so many things we can progress in to further better our lives, day by day. if I told you that you had one more day to live, how would you spend it? you wouldn’t just think “oh, another boring day at school,” would you? I sure as hell wouldn’t. so wake up every morning with a new intention for the day. go through out your day as if every thing you said or did really mattered. tell your parents you love them as much as you can. tell your friends how you feel as much as you can. HECK, LET YOUR CRUSH KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THEM. just kidding, that’s a little too far. just take it at your own pace on that one ;)

but seriously, it’s important that we look at each day as another chance. another chance to do something great and valuable, another chance to further our relationships with people and Christ, another chance to smile and be happy.

and with that, ladies and gentlemen, we have concluded the 18 lessons i learned at 18. if you read the whole thing, props to you. you get a slice of my birthday cake (which i shall happily eat with family in a week) thank you for taking the time to read, i hope i have inspired you in some way :) TIME TO GET MY HOMEWORK DONE AND CONTINUE TO BE THE IRRESPONSIBLE TEEN I ALWAYS WAS :)

- tiff

[feministism]

[a-butterfly-on-his-tummy]

[becausewhynoteathumans]

im really fucking sarcastic for someone who’s about to start crying most of the time

[justalittlebitofme23]

new year but i still feel the same sadness

[different-landscapes]