My Streaming Watch List

Need Netflix, Hulu, or Prime recommendations? I got you!

Hello everyone!

Everybody loves a good watch list, right? I got a free trial for Hulu recently, so I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to share what I’ve been streaming so far this summer. There is always plenty to enjoy, but here are some of the picks I’m looking forward to watching the most for the rest of the summer!

Hulu
Love Island

All of the British vloggers I follow are obsessed with this show, and almost an entire “Keeping it Candid” podcast episode was dedicated to this show. After I listened to that recent episode on a long drive, I figured I had to see what all the fuss was about. I’ve only watched a couple episodes of the recent season, but it seems like the British equivalent to “Bachelor in Paradise.”

Full House

Almost everyone in my generation grew up watching Full House reruns. My family never got the channels that aired Full House, so I only saw a couple episodes here and there during my childhood. I’m taking full advantage of the opportunity to catch up on a missed opportunity during my childhood!

Netflix
Nailed It

This show was recommended to my fiancé and me by my cousin, and it is so so much fun to watch on a lazy day together!! The whole concept of the show is regular people try to bake those crazy cakes you see going viral on Facebook, and they almost always completely fail in the most hilarious ways. Honestly, they’re so relatable, because baking isn’t my strong suit either!

Moana

Everyone has been so wild for this movie, and I still haven’t seen it yet! One of these nights Tanner and I have to just sit down and watch this together just so I can experience the music and understand the references!

Amazon Prime
The Marvelous Mrs. Mazel

I’ve already finished this amazing series, and I can’t recommend it more! If you haven’t heard of this series yet, it was created by the amazing Amy Sherman-Palladino (aka the creator of Gilmore Girls). Just because of that, you know it has to be amazing. Mrs. Maisel is such a fun character, so strong, so hilarious. She is so much fun to watch, and I keep crossing my fingers for season 2 to come out!

Monk

This is an old old family favorite, but because of its availability on Prime, I get to watch it with my fiancé as well. It is one of the funniest murder mystery shows out there… in my humble opinion!

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So much to watch, so little time! What have you guys been watching this summer? Let me know what your favorites are down in the comments!

XOXO

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Summer 2018 Plans…?

Hello everyone!

The end-of-the-semester madness got the best of me again, and it’s been a while since you guys have heard from me! But now it is the middle of June (how the heck did that happen??), and a long summer stretches out before me! But don’t get me wrong… I may not be jet-setting as much as I did last summer — check out some of last year’s adventures here and here — but I have plenty on the docket this year!

Before the end of the semester, I took to my trusty planner and I wrote out ALL of my goals for the next few months. I wound up with about three pages filled with possible plans and ventures for me to begin working on over the summer — and I can’t wait to get started! I thought I would share some of them with you 🙂

Blogging?

I plan on sticking to the Monday/Friday schedule that I had maintained a few months ago, and maybe even adding Wednesday there too! I’m also going to put some serious thought into my content. What am I super passionate about? What do I want to write about every day, and publish posts about every other day during the work week?

YouTube?

I have wanted to do YouTube videos since I was in middle school and watching JuicyStar07 and AllThatGlitters21 on my iPod Touch when it was way past my bedtime. I never had the guts to do it, even all through high school until a few months ago, when I published my first video! I am planning on only putting up one or two videos a week, but it’s a start!

Fitness Instructor Certification?

For a few years now, I have thought about getting my personal training certification after I graduate. I am going to begin that pursuit this summer, by first getting my fitness instructor certification online from the American Council of Exercise (ACE)! As I study, I will also be trying my hand at writing and producing more fitness content here on this blog… hence what I said before about focusing on what I’m passionate about!

Traveling?

Last week, I went out to visit with my family in California again (blog post to come!). All that’s left now is my yearly trip to the shore with my family! Other than that, I will be traveling back and forth between mine and my fiance’s homes, just so we can spend more time together. Don’t worry… I’ll be posting regularly on my personal and blog Insta accounts, if you want to see what I’m up to daily!

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Other than these key points, I also have an internship with a local art show, and volunteering at my local historical society. So, you could say I have a lot on my plate! But I’m determined to make Summer 2k18 the best summer yet — and I’ll be taking all of you with me on my adventures before senior year begins!

With love and excitement for the future!

XOXO

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My Current Netflix Watch List!

Need some Netflix inspiration? Take a peek at my current watch list!

Hello everyone!

We all have it. The arsenal of movies and TV shows we’re just waiting to sink our metaphorical teeth into. My list is obviously much longer, but these are the shows and movies that I will be watching whenever I have a free afternoon next. So… Easter break anyone?

Black Mirror

My best friend recommended this series to me, and I’ve heard lots about it online as well. I’m not a huge fan of ultra scary shows and movies but she recommended a couple episodes that were especially good that she thought I would like, so hopefully I’ll like them! Coming from somebody who knows me so well, I think I have a pretty good chance.

That 70s Show

Tanner and I have watched up to the sixth season of the show, and then we stopped watching. I still want to know what happens, so I just want one free afternoon to snuggle and finally finish this series off!

Riverdale

I’ve already watched part of the first season, and I’ve liked the storyline so far. I read the Archie comics as a child, so I’ve needed to slowly introduce myself to the new storyline for fear of ruining my childhood. But what I’ve seen so far is so so good, I can’t not watch it. That, and (Spoiler Alert!) I’ve been shipping Betty and Jughead my entire life, so I’m excited to finally be able to see them get together.

 

The Great British Baking Show

I have heard so many good things about this show. And I mean, who doesn’t love a good baking show?

Beauty and the Beast (Emma Watson version!)

I’ve been waiting to watch this remake of a childhood favorite ever since it went into theaters (which was probably about a year ago now). I never get to the theater because it is way too expensive for my small college student budget, but Netflix is just my speed. Hopefully the movie will be worth the wait!

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Have a favorite Netflix show or movie? I mean, who doesn’t, right? Mine are Gilmore Girls and Friends. We could all use some recommendations for our next binge-watching session, so let me know what some of your recommendations are in the comments below!

XOXO

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Photo Cred: Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Feast Your Eyes & Ears #2

Need some new media to subscribe to? In today’s edition of Feast Your Eyes & Ears, I feature YouTubers, a podcast, and an e-newsletter I’ve been loving lately!

Hello everyone!

I’ve been so looking forward to writing this next edition of Feast Your Eyes & Ears! I’ve kept track of the media I’ve been obsessed with for the last month, and here were the stand-out boss ladies that I think deserve some recognition!

Influencer I want to be friends with: Tess Christine

I’ve mentioned Tess in a favorites post I’m pretty sure, but I’ve been so inspired by her content lately I thought I would write about her again. Her weekly vlogs are my favorite videos of hers to watch, but her style is soo effortlessly cool that I enjoy any of her style videos too. She doesn’t play by the trends’ rules, Tess’s style is so original. I always find outfit inspiration in her Insta posts and videos.

Podcast that I listen to when I drive: Keeping it Candid

I have been obsessed with this podcast the last few weeks! This is a “weekly pop culture podcast” (to use their wording) narrated by fashion bloggers Millie Cotton and Sophie Milner. They’re best friends in real life, and you can tell with how their discussions flow so naturally. Whenever I see a notification that these girls have put out another show, I have to press play. Any pop culture and Insta/blog lover will love this podcast.

ASMR that puts me sleep: Batala’s ASMR

My best friend Sammie introduced me to ASMR over the summer, and knock it if you will, but it helps me sleep if I’m having troublesome nights! I Found thisASMRtist recently and I like her content, especially because she doesn’t edit out her personality from her videos. ASMR is probably super awkward to film, and it’s cool to see a successful YouTuber laugh at themselves once and a while.

Tunes that I can’t get enough of: Mermaids soundtrack

Mermaids was one of my favorite movies in early to mid high school. I rediscovered the coming-of-age masterpiece (starring my fave Winona Ryder, along with Cher!) when I found that the movie is free with Amazon Prime (I’ve watched it at least 3 times since lol). I love the old school 60s music that’s featured in the movie, like “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Johnny Angel” the most, and the others are fun to listen to as well. Highly recommend, if you’re a fan of the oldies.

What I immediately read when it hits my inbox: Lenny Letter

I think I found this weekly email newsletter through a podcast called Ctrl-Alt-Delete (which I featured in my last Feast Your Eyes & Ears post). I enjoy a lot of their content, and the creative nonfiction essays are getting me out of my school-assigned-reading rut whenever they pop into my inbox. Because a well-written essay about Feminism is always a welcome change from Middlemarch (it’s 800+ pages long and due in April, guys).

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As always, given that I’m such a huge pop-culture geek, I would love to hear any recommendations or favorites of yours — leave them in the comments, and we can chat about all things media. Let me know if you like these posts, too, because they’re so much fun to write I might make it a monthly post here on T.G.I.!

XOXO

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Self Care After a Rough Day

I share all of my favorite self care rituals in this post. When the stress levels are high, treat yourself! You deserve it 🙂

Hello Everyone!

In the wise words of Hannah Montana (sorry guys, I had to go there) everybody has those days. And in midterm season with stressful assignments piling up all around me, sometimes every day feels like one of “those days.” When I feel stressed I like to pamper myself a little bit just to wind down at the end of the day. I find that if I take a few minutes at the very end of the day to relax, I sleep better. And, by extension, I feel a little less stressed the next day. Here are some of my favorite simple things I do just to shower a little self-love on myself 🙂

Smooth on a face mask.

If I’m trying to relax, I love the smell of mint or cucumber. So, I have a peel-off cucumber mask that I love. Or, lately, I’ve just been buying those single mud mask packets at Walmart or Target. The Say Yes To brand is one of my go-to favorites for all things skincare, and they don’t disappoint in the face mask department!

Paint your nails.

A simple and easy activity that I can do during a thirty-minute show (or a 15 minute Spongebob). Painting my nails has always calmed me down because of the monotony (and satisfaction) of the movement. I focus on what I’m doing when I paint my nails, and it clears my head. That, and the colors are always super satisfying to me. If you don’t like to paint your own nails, you can always splurge and go get them done with a buddy. Or ask said friend to do them for you — with the offer to return the favor, of course!

Watch a silly cartoon.

Out of any show on Netflix and Prime, Spongebob and other cartoons are guaranteed to make me laugh. So I love to relax with a short episode, preferably watched with my bestie or fiance. But really, watch any show you know you can lose yourself in. If I’m in the mood for a mystery, I love to watch Monk. This is another old favorite, and Tanner and I have been making our way through the series recently.

Have a little wine.

Everything in moderation, but once or twice a week I like to have a glass of Pink Moscato or White Merlot. My best friend Victoria also introduced me to the Straw-berita from Bud Light, and it’s the perfect sweet treat to pair with the Bachelor. It’s just the right amount, and it’s so good!

Combine all of these things into one evening!

If it’s the weekend, I may just do all of these to make for one really relaxing evening. Watching Bob’s Burgers with rose and freshly painted nails and a soothing face mask is possibly one of my favorite things to do. Especially if I’m cuddling with my fiance.

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If you’ve been especially stressed lately, I get it. So take it out of gear, and do whatever it is you love to do to relax. Let me know what your favorite pampering session consists of in the comments below!

XOXO

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Photo cred: Krista Mcphee on Unsplash

 

How to survive dorm showers!

I share with you all of the things that make showering in a dorm easier!

Hello everyone!

I have a confession to make. I absolutely hate showering  at least while I’m here at school. It can be super uncomfortable to shower in a more public place than your own personal shower at home. But over the years, I’ve discovered ways to make myself want to shower, or even just to get me into the stall. These tips can even be applied to all you gym-going girls out there, because it all works pretty similarly! Here are some of the essentials I’ve come up with over the years here at college to make showering more fun… Or bearable.

 

Find shower shoes with traction.

Take it from me. Foam flip-flops are great for the beach, but they don’t make the cut when they’re completely waterlogged from the showers. I ditched my pair pretty quickly freshman year after I slipped coming out of the shower. Funnily enough, I found my trust shower flip-flops at the beach. They have major traction, and they’ve made it this far to junior year, so they have held up great so far! Invest in a pair with material isn’t too absorbent and has good traction so you don’t fall.

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Nice smelling soaps and hair products you’ll want to use.

Maybe even look forward to using! Recently, I’ve been loving the Paul Mitchell Tea Tree shampoo and conditioner, which is an old favorite I’ve used since I was a kid. Also, I’ve recently discovered this Beauty & Planet Coconut and Ylang Ylang body wash that smells so good! Because I love how these smell and how they feel, I look forward to using them. Gathering products like these that you’ll enjoy will motivate you to go take that shower… It’s the little things!

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A plastic shower caddy with room to spare.

I say get one with room because you never want to find that you’re missing an essential in the middle of your shower. It’s the absolute worst to trudge down the hall to get your shampoo while you’re drenched. So, get yourself a big caddy like this from Target and keep all your things inside it. That way, you’re never without your razor or conditioner when you’re in need of it.

A playlist you love. (And a speaker to go with.)

Maybe even to sing along to, if you’re so inclined! If I’m in the mood to sing, I go with Britney Spears. Other days, I go with Japanese House’s “Clean” and “Pools to Bathe In” EPs (I write more about this band here), if I’m in a more reflective mood. Compose a playlist of songs you love and can get lost in while you shower. If you’re listening to good music, you won’t hear… Whatever else you’re liable to hear going on in a dorm bathroom.

As for a speaker, I got a Bluetooth speaker for Christmas two years ago that I love (this SCS speaker). However, my Iphone’s speaker does just as well if I angle it into the corner of one of the tiled walls (which helps with the resonance). Because me being me, I forget to charge the Bluetooth speaker sometimes.

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If there’s anything that helps you deal with the showers, or even college dorms, leave it in the comments below!

XOXO

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The Ginger Thrift!

Hello everyone!

I am defying my Monday/Friday schedule to make a quick and exciting announcement! Today, I am making my first unassigned post on my new blog The Ginger Thrift!

This new venture is something that I have always been curious about doing. I’ve always been passionate about thrifting, and I’ve always wanted to write about it, but I’ve never felt like it fit well in The Ginger introvert. A project for a web writing and design class I am taking right now was the kick in the pants I needed to start The Ginger Thrift!

This new blog is entirely dedicated to all-things-thrifting, but it won’t take away from TGI! As you can tell with the title, I wanted to tie The Ginger Thrift to TGI as much as possible and make them go hand-in-hand. So, I have “Thrift” linked above in the main menu, which will take you to the new blog. I’m planning on making a post there every Wednesday!

So, if you love thrifting as much as I do, please head on over and give my baby blog a read! Let me know what you think, and if you have any requests for the blog please let me know! This project is still in the works, so any recommendations are much appreciated 🙂

XOXO

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#Galentine’s Week: Days 3&4

On this combined #Galentine’s Day post, I talk about some of my closest friends from home and here at college!

Hello Everyone!

I took a day off on the actual day of Valentine’s Day to be with my fiance, which was fun! We ended up going to a restaurant called Isaac’s and had their pepper jack tomato soup, a famous recipe of theirs and a personal favorite of mine. I hope that everyone had fun Valentine’s Days, no matter if it was spent with your SO or Netflix.

It seemed appropriate to combine Galentine’s Days 3 and 4, because I’ll be featuring some of my closest friends, both from home and from college! So buckle up, it’s going to be a long one today.

Sammie

Sammie and I have been best friends since kindergarten. So, that makes it sixteen years that she has put up with me. And I’m so glad that she has! We’re way past best friends, and into the sister-zone. I mean, we’ve been close for longer than we haven’t. And also because she remembers more about my life than I do. I’m so proud of her, that I don’t even know where to start. Her dedication to her art and illustration design is so amazing. She changed her major from graphic design to illustration, and I know how hard that was for her. But she did what she had to do, and she persevered through the hardship that comes along with changing a major. She is a talented Cosplay costume designer and artist, and has been designing her own costumes since we were in elementary school. I’ve seen her grow in her design work and I swear that her costumes always come out looking professional. She’s shown such strength in hardship these last few years, too. She’s gone through things that I won’t detail here, but I know that if it were me I would have fallen apart. She’s supportive, loyal, funny, beautiful, and I am oh-so proud to call her my best friend for life. I know we’re going to be those best friends who are living next door to each other in the nursing home, torturing the staff together.

(Also, I love this picture of us from my 21st birthday, because we look like legit sisters!)

Cassie

I met Cassie my freshman year of high school, in girls’ chorus. We bonded over the Harry Potter series, and we’ve been close ever since. Her talent in singing and songwriting has always been something that has inspired me as I tried to develop my own writing and singing skills. Over the years, I’ve watched her grow from a teenage girl into a woman, even if it was from a distance. But Cassie is one of those friends where even if you haven’t talked in a while, it feels like no time has passed when you talk next. She’s dealt with loss and anxiety with grace. I feel like I’ve said this for every woman that I’ve mentioned in these posts, but I so admire her strength. Nothing has come easy to her, and she’s built a life for herself from pure hard work. I’m so glad to have her in my life, as a best friend as an example of the kind of hardworking woman I want to become.

Victoria

My best friend and roommate here at college. Victoria is another example of the kind of hardworking woman I want to become. She is also so supportive. No matter what, she’s there to listen and talk. Even if I’ve messed up. She is the constant listening ear, compassionate heart, shoulder to cry on, and forgiving soul. I am so indebted to her for putting up with my foolishness, and sticking with me even after a hard year for our friendship. But even after hardship, the fact that we’ve persevered together makes me that much more incredibly grateful to have her amazing self in my life. Her strength, courage, intelligence, and loyalty can’t be matched in her. And her beauty shines forth, on the outside and the inside.

Emily

Em was my first close friend on campus, because we had our very first college class together. That class was French 2, and we suffered through that first semester together. We had movie nights almost every week, and she was the one who showed me Mulan for the first time! Now, ever since that first semester, Em has been another one of those friends that no matter what, she’s always there for you. Even if you haven’t talked or gotten together for lunch in a while. She is so busy with earning her degree in Theater, and is so incredibly talented in what she does. She takes pride in her work, and I’m so proud of her for all she has accomplished, both academically and in life.

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If I could list every friend from home and college saying how much I love them, without breaking the internet, I would. I am so incredibly fortunate to have these women and so many others in my life. And I want all of my friends to know, that even if you aren’t in this post, I love you and appreciate you. You are all so dear to me, and I wish that we could all just hang out all the time drinking coffee (or wine) and watching movies. I won’t get too mushy on all of you. But hey… February is the time of year to get mushy, after all!

Please leave your friend, sister, mother, and other inspirational women appreciation posts in the comments. Share the love!

XOXO

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#Galentine’s Week: Day 2

Honoring the cousins on day two of #Galentine’s Week! Here’s to Sarah, Bree, and Josie!

Happy Galentine’s, day two!

Today, I’ll be celebrating my cousins (on both sides of my family). As an only child, I was always close with Sarah and Bree growing up. And now, with my little cousin Josie, I hope to be a role model to her, like Sarah and Bree are to me.

Sarah

Sarah and me at the beach.

Sarah is the big sister that I never had. But she knows this already. Her ambition and drive to pursue and perfect her artwork is inspiring to me, and her skill has only gotten more and more impressive with each passing year. Her creativity is out of this world. This natural talent paired with her wisdom and maturity, produces artwork that is so rich with deep meaning, I’m always mind blown by her work and the quality of it. Sarah is a beautiful pillar of strength. Everyone who knows that she is a true force of nature. Little sisters have always imitated their big sisters, and I know that’s true for me. I’ve always been so in awe of Sarah, and I know I will continue to be, even into adulthood.

Bree

Bree and me in front of Gringotts Bank at Harry Potter World in Orlando.

Bree is another example of a force of nature. She is so dedicated to her work, which, as a Ferrier, takes a lot of physical strength. However, it also requires people skills and being able to connect with people, and that’s always been something I’ve admired in Bree. She can talk to anyone with a smile on her face. She has the best sense of humor, and can always make me smile. She also has a beautiful laugh and smile. Bree is a nurturer and is a mother hen for sure. She has the biggest heart, and even through heartbreak, has been able to persevere. Her strength over the last few years has not gone by unnoticed, and I admire her for it every time we talk.

Josie

My little cousin who is too young to have her picture on the blog. However, I still wanted to write a couple words for her, even if she won’t be able to read this (at least not right away). This little girl is in the second grade, and I’ve said for a while that she’ll be teaching my masters courses. I still stand by that statement. She is smart as a whip, and I know she’ll grow up to be extremely successful. Ever since she was a baby, she’s wanted to read or be read to, and now that she’s reading chapter books, she’s ripping through them all by herself. I’m so incredibly proud of her and how quickly she learns and grows.

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Celebrate the women in your life with me! Leave a comment below and say something about a loved one who inspires you 🙂

XOXO

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#Galentine’s Week: Day 1

The women in our lives deserve all the love they can get. Here, I talk about the women who, without their very being, I would not exist. Enter Momma, Grandmom Angel, and Grandma Lil.

Hello everyone!

Since Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, I thought I would take a beat and appreciate the women in my life who I love and admire. A couple days this week, I’m going to be writing profiles on the badass women who have influenced and inspired me. They are all women that I am oh-so-glad to have in my life. And who better to start with than my mother and grandmothers?

Sharon (A.K.A. Mom)

The woman who gave birth to me and has put up with my moody self ever since. Believe me, this woman deserves to be sainted, or at least given an award. (See that picture of my parents with me as a baby? See me screaming? That’s basically all I did as a newborn. Scream.) My mother is possibly one of the most intelligent women I have ever met. Her artistic skill and her knowledge of science and math are both equal in brilliance, and I don’t think I’ve ever had a question for her that she didn’t know the answer to. She always knows exactly what to do in any situation, even if its just to listen and give hugs. Her compassionate heart is unmatched, and for that I am so incredibly thankful.

Picture of my grandmothers smiling, holding teddy bears with bibs on them.

Bernadette (A.K.A. Grandmom)

Grandmom Bernadette, who I always called Grandmom Angel as a kid. Her trust in God has always been incredible to me, and is so inspiring. I learned about the power of prayer from her, and also the power of faith and forgiveness as well. She is another perfect example of a compassionate, listening heart. Grandmom is the best listener, and I know she is always there to unconditionally love and support every member of our family. I will forever be in awe of her strength.

Lillie Dorothea (A.K.A. Grandma)

Grandma Lil is sassy, smart, clever, and is also an incredible woman of faith. Even in the face of sickness and sadness, she has always been a firm believer of God. Her musical ability has always inspired me as well, and my grandparents on my mom’s side are part of the reason why I love music so much. My grandparents met in their church choir, which they still participate in to this day. Grandma Lil has a beautiful Soprano singing I have always admired, as a Soprano 2 and Alto 1 myself. She brings our family together every birthday, holiday, and some weekends, with love, food, and music.

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This Valentine’s Day, celebrate the women in your life who have inspired you! Do you have any stories you want to share? Leave them in the comments, I would love to see them!

XOXO

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