CiCi

Dear CiCi,

I'm sorry to hear that so much stress came into your life that you lost even motivation for things that you used to love doing. Ocd is not something I have personally struggled with, but I do have a loved one who has it, and know how it affects her. So I think of her and start imagining what you could be going through right now, and the challenges that day to day life may pose. Also even though our experiences are different, I do know what it's like to have attacks of anxiety, and right now I have also been struggling just to get organized and stay on top of things. More than anything I get lethargic.

I don't want to drag you down though, I just want to show some solidarity so that you know you aren't ever alone <3
You don't have to worry about sounding like a Debby Downer, what you're saying is something I can identify with, and sometimes we all need to vent. One of the things I love about you is that you're frank, and I'm glad that you're you! That and your artistic flair and passion for animals are some of my favorite parts about you.

I'm hoping things start to look up for you, or maybe your days are already even beginning to turn around with a little luck, eh? 'Been a long time since I have written so it's possible that circumstances could be totally different now, ya never know. Sorry that I have been so slow responding, I have had a lot going on that I have been scuffling to claw my way to the top of the heap on. Gomen na sai! My oof moment.

I'm going to start writing to you on Discord more since you say that is the better platform to reach you right now. It's something I am beginning to use more or more now, kinda comes with the mod role. The the walls of my profile have become untidy with so many unanswered messages, so I'm probably more alert on social media these days. Maybe there we can catch up over a cup of hot tea?

You have some good news for me though even in difficult times I have to say :) Hearing about your garden definitely brightened my spirits! It's amazing how once basil gets going it can grow as high as Jack's beanstalk and be a sight straight out of fairy tale. We've got our fair share of it too. I'm proud of your endeavors with your fiancé, and your bourgeoning green thumb!

On the subject of the food industry I knew that there was a lot cruelty in chicken farming. I thought I was supporting a more humane form of it by just buying organic free range eggs, and patronizing the small businesses of local farmers, but even that has some problems. I have cut dairy out of my diet for good after learning more about the milk industry and how the male calves are treated, and eggs may follow next. I tend to change my diet in stages, first I gave up meat and became a pescetarian, then I got rid of the fish and became a lacto-ovo vegetarian, now the milk is gone, just one more step and I'll be a vegan like you, and more and more I'm reflecting and becoming convinced that this may be the right path for me too.

I really love the taste of silk almond milk yogurt and almond shreds to melt on my beyond burgers, spaghetti in tomato sauce or on black bean quesadillas. It's delicious if I do say so! But I have also heard some mixed things about how almond farming may impact the environment, and if it's sustainable due to the amount of water necessary to produce almond milk. So with that in mind I would love to try oatmilk. Oatmeal bread is something I really find tasty too.

So Delicious Ice Cream is where it's at sis. That caramel cluster cashew milk one is to die for! I was happy to find how many vegan ice creams my boys Ben & Jerry sell, and recently bought the dairy free version of Cherry Garcia!

-Sam

H there, CiCi! It's been a long time! I was stuck in exam sand stuff. Anyway, wooh! How's it been? And I can totally understand your mom's excitement. Keep it going.

And yeah, I'll think about it. I haven't written anything in a while. I am in the Daily and will be brainstorming, but apart from that...no.
Dunno what else to say..
Stay happy and healthy!

Hi CiCi, I hope that you're having a nice summer, though it can be a bit of a challenge at times with so much going on in the world, I still search for the light.

It's been quite awhile since I have written, so sending you some love and hoping to catch up. Thanks for your kind words too about my creative endeavors.

How is planting season going by the way? I am undertaking a milestone. I am phasing milk out of my diet. The more I learn about the dairy industry the more I would like to try substitutions. This brings me a step closer from vegetarianism to veganism, the path you chose. Coconut milk has been useful to me in this transition, not to mention it's good for the skin. I ordered some Earth balance spread in place of butter, and am pleased to find that Ben & Jerry's has a lot of dairy-free ice cream products, so I am hopeful about it. I always bought some So Delicious, knowing they use cashew milk, almond milk etc instead of cow's milk. I thought you'd be happy to hear that, and if you have any recommendations for me let me know <3

You are right by the way. September the 4th does make me a Virgo, mostly everyone else gets animals, but I just get some lady holding flowers. I think the sign fits though. They say we are gentle, controlled, wise, loyal and love animals and nature.

Peace out. Things are going very well here, and I just wanted to reach out and make sure that your days have been peaceful and happy. <3

-Sam

It's much better on here.

So it might not be a surprise, but my best character aside from Jigglypuff is King Dedede. Another floaty character who can fly around off the stage. And yeah people are always improving. I'm out of practice from not playing as much so I usually get stomped now.

I'm sort of new to JRPG's so I spent the last couple years trying them out. I wasn't born yet during the PS1 era so I finally played Final Fantasy 7 for the first time with the Switch release. It was okay...then I finished Chrono Trigger and liked that game way better.

And it's okay. I'm usually in my own bubble (social anxiety). but the community here is nice.

Aww, how'd it go? It must have been a pleasant surprise! What was their response?
Hmm...I didn't give it much of a thought, but I did tell my mother that I'd adopt kids though.

Also! The artworks you posted in your art thread are soo good and have a unique look. The anger fish-like creature you drew reminds me of a ben 10 character, and the Homestuck one is brilliant.

Haha I don't know myself man. I mean I used to get 8 hours of sleep regularly back in my highschool and college days, but I feel like I f*cked up my circadian rhythm way too much over the course of college wherein it started adapting to only need 6 hours of sleep lol. Dunno how healthy that is but I'm feeling fine at the moment.

My girlfriend's absolutely the opposite end of the spectrum though. As in, she cannot function well at all unless she gets a minimum 12 hours sleep lmao.

Surprisingly no. My body clock seems to normalize itself at around just 6 hours of sleep. I went to bed yesterday at 2 something in the morning and I woke up earlier 8-ish, refreshed as can be. Dunno how it works lol.

You bet I am. But I feel we live in different time zones lol. It's 1 in the afternoon over here in the Southeast Asian world.

All good my dude how bout you

Good to know you're doing well, CiCi!
Awwww, I wish you the best for a new life as a parent, afterall there will be more responsibilities. Looks like a happy future anyway :D Take care and stay healthy!

I will check out Homestuck shortly.

You're awesome CiCi! Just a superb hostess! We're lucky to have your creativity and dynamic energy. You make me smile.

I had fun sketching out my Wargul (fairy cat Pokemon for the dream assignment) and imagining what moves or ability it might have. I edited my last post to include it in the spoiler tags.

Thanks for also reaching out if I need an ear to listen to. Things have been a little better this week. Spring is really here, and it's gorgeous.

Yes, Dragon/Shawn is a shy reptile who stays at a distance camouflaged a lot, but when casually mentioning what I was up to with this event he was interested and says he would like to participate too. So he should be popping up soon.

No worries, take your time when you need to reply. I'm the queen of disorganization and sometimes it takes me awhile to gather my thoughts and write, but I always turn up sooner or later teehee.

August 15th sounds like as good of a day to be born as any. I like astrology and that means you are a Leo, the sign of royalty, a lion. So not lame at all!

Cheers, I'll gossip more soon!

-Sam

Indeed, the VA's passing is tragic too.
I am looking forward to work in the field of biological sciences, and at the moment, I am interested in genetics.
Ohh, how are you doing now, CiCi?
No, to be honest, I didn't hear about Homestuck till you mentioned it in the message :P

I finished the 2003 one, and am now watching Brotherhood. I'm having so much fun watching it, but also what happened to Hughes and Nina is very sad :(
I am a science student and finished academics in high school ( studied Physics, biology, chemistry and math) just before the lockdown began. How about you?

And handsome fishy boi looks really cool!

Woah, looks like you're enjoying your time! I'm suddenly obsessed with Fullmetal Alchemist and am rewatching it.
Got these online classes aiming to prepare students for entrance tests, so that's all I've been up to, at least so far.

Hi CiCi Salami! How's it going? I haven't been very active on PC lately, but I am trying to get back to normal usage :p
What have you been up to?

I haven't forgotten about my dream project. I'll be posting this week, it's been a nutty last few days but I'm climbing my way up the mountain slowly but surely.

Dragon told me that he was also interested in your event and wants to participate with a short story based on his dream, so he'll probably be joining the club any day now.

I hope you are doing well my friend,

-Sam

I would LOVE to try your vegan pot pies, you sound like such a talented chef CiCi. My mouth is watering. I'll have to look into the chik'n flavored bullion cubes. I also found a tasty chicken flavored vegan soup base on Amazon from Orrington Farms. It's really a savory option for a stock.

I have always liked Pillsbury (when they're vegetarian/vegan) and I'll be sure to check out those crescent rolls too.

I definitely can relate to not feeling social, but getting up the Cheerios. I have social skills when I need to use them, I enjoy a passionate and interesting conversation, and try to keep an open mind to folks from all different walks of life, but I am also most comfortable and calm when I am alone, and prefer to be on my own or with just a couple of people I have known for years and really trust.

I'm so happy that the forum gave me the opportunity to meet you. Also I wanted to ask if you don't mind, is your birthday actually on the 31st of October? Being born on Halloween just sounds epic!

Thank you for your words of encouragement. I love our house, and am going to keep finding ways to fix it up and make improvements so we have a nice space to share. I have an event/contest coming soon to see who can design the best new banner. I'm still working out the details, but you being a creative one, makes me suspect you might roll up your sleeves and design something! We'll see.

Oh also, I did go forward with the club coffee lounge. And like it so far, come and hang with us sometime <3

https://www.pokecommunity.com/showthread.php?p=10143547#post10143547

-Sam

Hey Veghead,

I was wondering if you had come across Amy's dairy free vegetable pot pie? I popped one in the oven this evening for the first time. It was divine. I wish I had another. As one gal to another making it on a plant-based diet I thought I would recommend it. You've been in the game longer than I have, so you might have tried it before. If not I think you might want to give it a go. We've always got to find ways to expand our kitchen.

Hope you're doing well. Wish I had a platinum badge to give you instead of gold. You're the Queen of the Clubhouse

-Sam

well... atem is a friggin cheater >:(

theres been 5 new series after the original one.

To think Cyber End wasn't even in the original series, it was too strong to be introduced then.