dunhaven; ic community.

FRIENDS/FAMILY OF ASHA & STELLA

As I know you all know, Asha and Stella both had birthdays this week. Because they are my favorites, as well as beingthe very best of people that deserve good things and being that this is the first time in years that I've been able to celebrate their birthdays with them, I wanted to throw a party for them, even if it's going to be after their birthdays. So, I propose a joint celebration of the surprise variety at the Pourhouse on Friday, May 17. It's karaoke night, so it should be ridiculous. I will make sure that they all get there by 7PM, if the rest of you could try to be there a bit beforehand for a proper surprise.

ASHA & STELLA

I've decided that we need a night out. I like wine nights in, but we should have a change of pace and scenery. I think this night out should be this upcoming Friday on the 17th. If you disagree, I might get huffy and none of us want that.

JUN

I know I already said it, but thank you again for letting me come over the other day. I really needed it.

April is Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month. Amputee Coalition has been working on getting it declared as such in all 50 states, but that doesn't really keep it from being recognized by those of us in the community. They created a great calendar of personal events throughout the month, but my favorite had to be the activity for today, April 30. It's a day meant to thank someone who has helped you on your journey. So, if you'll forgive me for a hot second, Dunhaven, I'm going to indulge in some sap. I promise when this is over, I'll be back to dispensing your regularly scheduled sass.

I think that, given that this is a small town where everyone knows everything about everyone, you'd be hard pressed to find someone that isn't at least vaguely aware of the fact that I lost my left arm up to just under my elbow and most of my left leg in a car accident when I was three. I don't really have memories of having all of my limbs, but I do remember the struggle of getting used to prostheses and growing into new ones. I remember what it felt like to feel different and awkward. (To be entirely honest, I still feel different and awkward some days, but who doesn't?) Looking back, though, I know that I owe everything I am right now to my parents. They supported me in a way that most parents don't dream of ever having to support their children and they sacrificed for me in ways I'm sure I still don't entirely realize.

I won't pretend that my parents and I have a perfect relationship. I am the person I am today, all sarcasm and independence and need to have the last word rolled up into one person, because of them. We don't always agree and my mom and I bicker more often than not, but I have never once doubted their love for me and I will never take that for granted. So, despite the fact that neither of them use the network, I wanted to say thank you to them for being pretty amazing. If any of you happen to see Michael or Diana Liang out there today, give them a thumbs up or a high five. It might weird them out because I'm not giving them any warning on that declaration, but that's half the fun. 🙃

All right, sap complete. Only sass from now on, I promise.

I officially have an internship for summer. Technically I had it weeks ago, but I think my brain has only just started to process the fact. Despite the months of law school, I think it's that -- the internship -- that makes me feel like I'm actually a law student. I'm here for it.

I'd also be here for a little sleep, but I'll take what I can get.

I spent last night watching Beyonce's Homecoming and dancing in my living room instead of doing anything productive. No regrets.

KESI, LYRA & MATEO:

Let's all have dinner soon.

So, anyone else sick of dream related emotional roller coasters? Everyone? Okay, just checking.

Prom is in a month and, during our weekly staff meeting today, I was given the dubious honor of chaperone. I've been told it has nothing to do with my being a new teacher, but go ahead and picture my most skeptical face here. I'm not really complaining, though, despite that it occurs to me now how weird it's going to be to go to an event like that as a certified grown up after having attended three of the exact same dance in the exact same space as a teenager. If my younger self knew that I would one day be the person making sure the punch didn't get spiked and the dancing didn't get supremely dirty or full of make outs, she'd probably be disappointed in me.

Not that I was spiking punch bowls or dancing dirty or making out at prom as a teenager. I was a good kid, okay. Just ask my mom. 😉

WHO: Asha Freeman & Kesi Freeman
WHEN: Thursday, March 21, 2019
WHERE: Asha's Home
SUMMARY: The Freemans confess their respective dreams
WARNINGS: None!
SPRINGO: Log Between Siblings

( ''I don’t know about you, but I definitely want to stare at old white men all the time. Talk about really setting the scene for romance.'' )

STELLA & ASHA - posted early evening

Without actually answering any questions as to why, what are the chances either of you might want to pretend that we're not grown ups that shouldn't drink too much alcohol on a Thursday night? Because I already opened a bottle of wine and wouldn't say no to some distracting company.

TEXTS TO KESI:

-- If I'd realized superpowers might be part of the package, I don't know if I would've moved back. I should've asked first.
-- There are some things I should probably come clean about. When are you free for dinner?

TEXTS TO MATEO:

-- Still not planning to run off?

My own dreams have made me particularly introspective recently, so I decided it's time for another anonymous post. This one isn't for any academic purpose (though each post is inherently good data for academic purposes despite their individual intentions), but it seems that a lot of us have found them cathartic. So, as usual, feel free to comment below--you will be anonymous unless you choose to be unmasked.

What lesson(s) have you learned from yourself the person you've been dreaming about?

My greatest lesson has been learning to truly value the people in my life who care about me. I already did, but there's something to be said for consciously recognizing that value each time I think of them.

Dunhaven, as always, it's been too long. Every time I spend more than a week away, I miss this place something terrible. What's new? What did I miss? It seems like I never have a chance to check into the network when I'm away.

( instagram )

WHO: Asha Freeman
WHEN: the fall of 2006
WHERE: a quiet corner of the library at University of Dunhaven
SUMMARY: Asha has her first ~dream~
WARNINGS: Violence, death.

( There was no warning when the soldiers came. )

WHEN: Asha & Mateo
WHERE: The Pourhouse; 2 February
SUMMARY: A reunion, of sorts
WARNINGS: PG for UST

( I learned my lesson. )

TEXT TO MATEO ROJAS:

-- Are you busy on Saturday?

( Cut for image! )

#lawschool

( Instagram Post! )

I've seen several people mention dreams since I've been back and it seems like they're a ~thing~ that people know about. So, color me curious for no reason whatsoever, but is there a pamphlet of some sort that I can get the lowdown on it all through?

One of my regulars brought me a bucket of toffees from their trip last week and I might be sobbing? And by might, I mean I definitely am because I have a bucket full of toffees and the best customers ever.

NICK

Hey, you. It's been awhile, but I was wondering if you had a moment to talk through something with me? I need thoughts from someone totally disconnected from...things I need to talk through.

It's good to see you again, Dunhaven.

I say that like I went somewhere very far away for a very long time, when in reality, I haven't even been 30 miles away. It's a long 22+ miles, however. It almost feels like a different world.

I'm Asha Freeman. I lived here for my undergrad, and I've been missing this town something fierce, so when a job offer came by not too far away from here, it seemed like it was meant to be. So here I am. What's new around here? I saw Grandma's is still here, thank God.