I've defo heard "[command], self!" or "[command], [own name]!" in real life so if that address needs to be kept those could be used as alternatives too!

but also i am very lucky to have had linguist parents (one who even specialized in second language acquisition and admitted to observing me like a lab rat 😂) who encouraged every step of my hyperfocus ❤️

FOR REAL. sometimes i wish i could go back in time and shake my younger self 😭

I did apply to places with good language programs but was rejected...because I didn't take enough AP classes junior year, the very year I was in Japan. like bitch don't say you encourage study abroad but then punish me for having done just that

didn't matter in the end, though ✌️

also "take uni classes in hs" means I took uni-level 201 and 202 after I came back from Japan in my senior year. My actual college was not known for languages so I essentially entered college with my major half finished. gave me a lot of time to play utapri

yes I started studying in ES. yes I started classes in MS. yes my ass went to a regular J HS for a spell. yes I placed into the next highest language level during my intensive uni study abroad. yes I passed N1 before graduating uni. but i STILL didn't think I was good enough to be a CIR 💀

🤝 This was me this year as well and it sucks so much. Things will get better, and I'm around if you ever want to chat ❤️

london!!!

come over we go together

2026 better be Year of Mel or we riot

Congratulations!!! This is so cool and awesome!!!!

if you want to talk general shop in a more casual manner, then you can reach out to me on discord if you have it already!

i should probably pin this post