Dan Santat's Blog, page 3

Marcy Wudarski: James Gandolfini’s Ex-wife

Marcy Wudarski is a movie producer residing in New York. Wudarski became well known after her marriage to the famous late movie star James Gandolfini.

James is well known for his stunning role in “The Sopranos,” where he played an Italian-American crime boss named Tony Soprano.

Marcy Wudarski met James Gandolfini before he shook the world with his acting in the Sopranos.

The two shared a happy marriage for almost three years until James decided to file for a Divorce. Let’s get to know who Marcy Wudarski is, and get into some details about her early life, marriage, and where she is now.

Who Is Marcy Wudarski?

Marcella Ann Wudarski was born and raised in Hudson, Florida, where she lived with her parents who were both of American nationality. Marcy was born on February 6, 1967, which makes her 55 years old as of 2022.

The Blonde lady holds an American nationality, but some believe that she has Polish descent. However, due to a lack of information, we’re not sure about her ancestry.

Marcy Wudarski: Early Life

In her early life, Marcy was raised at her parent’s house in Hudson by her father, Edward B. Wudarski, and her mother, Mary Ann Wudarski. Marcy’s parents were both Pennsylvania natives.

Her father, Edward B., was a former lieutenant in the U.S. Army, who was also a veteran of both World War Two and The Korean War.

Marcy’s father passed away on March 23, 1986, which was six days after his 66th birthday. Twelve years later, her mother, Mary Ann, passed away on October 19, 1998, which made her 67 at that time.

When we looked into Marcy’s family’s history, we couldn’t find any source that proves whether she was a singleton or had siblings.

Marcy went to Bayonet Point Junior high school and completed high school in 1985. Young Marcy then went to college, but she never disclosed her college degree.

That’s not the only thing Marcy kept secret, We still don’t know much about her educational background. However, we certainly know that Marcy graduated in 1990.

Marcy Wudarski’s Professional Life

After Marcy’s graduation, the young lady worked different jobs, struggling to provide for herself with enough money to make ends meet. Later on, Marcy decided to change plans and move to New York City.

Upon moving to NYC, the aspiring woman landed a job in the movie industry, where she worked as a movie producer.

Her new job required that she’d come up with lines, stories, and scripts for movies, which had to be discussed with directors, and explained to actors. You can very much say her co-workers were Hollywood stars, which was the main reason she met James Gandolfini.

The young producer was credited as the executive producer for the 2012 movie “Wish You Were Here.” The drama/mystery film didn’t receive any rewards but had mostly positive feedback from the public.

Marcy Wudarski’s Net Worth

As a movie producer, Marcy earned a good amount of money. There have been reports stating that Marcy Wudarski earned an estimate of $500,000. However, the producer herself was secretive about her career’s earnings.

Marcy’s net worth was increasing at a good rate. However, it doesn’t compare to her late ex-husband James Gandolfini who accumulated $70 million, as per reports in 2013. This leads us to an important question.

Who Is James Gandolfini?

 

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James Joseph Gandolfini is an American actor and Hollywood star. He’s well known for his role as Tony Soprano in HBO’s Television series “The Sopranos.”

James’s role was an Italian-American mafia crime boss, which landed him three Emmy Awards, Five Screen Actors Guild Awards, and one Golden Globe Award.

The actor also starred in a lot of movies such as The Taking of Pelham 123, The Last Castle, and the list goes on.

The amazing actor was born on September 18, 1961, in Westwood, New Jersey. He passed away on June 19, 2013.

Marcy Wudariski’s Marriage Life: Meeting James Gandolfini

During Marcy’s movie production career in New York, She received a call where she was asked to become the assistant of James Gandolfini, who is to become her husband.

How Did They Meet?

After Marcy accepted the offer in 1996, she became Jame’s assistant. At that time, James’s career was still in the making, as the actor was working between jobs, and “The Sopranos” was yet to be made.

After Marcy worked as an assistant for James Gandolfini, they started transitioning from the professional stage into a dating stage.

This was when they started hanging out and going on dates. Eventually, Wudarski moved in with Gandolfini at his apartment in West Village.

Some people reported that the two had been dating for about a year before they eventually got married.

How Their Marriage Life Went

After the new couple had been dating for a while, they eventually exchanged vows In March of 1999. They celebrated their wedding at a subtle wedding party in New York with only close friends and relatives invited.

At that time, Marcy was pregnant with James’s son, and the newlyweds decided to start a family together. Marcy eventually gave birth to Michael Gandolfini, born on May 10, 1999.

The couple shared a beautiful marriage until things started to go down the line between Marcy and Gandolfini.

Why They Got Divorced

Wudarski and Gandolfini’s marriage hit a rough patch when Gandolfini decided to leave the house back in 2001. His act was quite shocking for Marcy since Gandolfini decided to never come back.

Shortly after Gandolfini left the house, he filed for divorce from his wife Marcy in March 2002. Some sources claim that their marriage went down due to Gandolfini’s alcohol and drug addiction.

As for James, He claimed that he was fed up with his ex-wife’s temper issues, which is the reason why their marriage tumbled. But what did Marcy have to say about that?

Of course, Marcy was shocked by Gandolfini’s decision as she described his action as “bipolar.” Additionally, during their divorce, Marcy claimed that James was dealing with drug and alcohol addiction issues, and he entered alcohol and drug rehabilitation in 1998.

Her claim also included the fact that some Hollywood stars knew about Gandolfini’s addiction, and have been helping him ever since. Marcy also included 52 names of people who were aware of Gandolfini’s addiction, including members from “The Sopranos” crew.

Marcy and Gandolfini had some complications, just like any complications following a divorce. However, Marcy claimed that she wasn’t happy such charges went public.

In October 2002, James Gandolfini confessed to The National Enquirer that he was addicted to alcohol and cocaine. He also stated that his addiction began four years before filing the divorce.

The divorce was finalized in December 2002, with Marcy staying at their West Village duplex house with her son Michael. What about James Gandolfini?

Where Is James Gandolfini Now?

Following the divorce, James bought a house in the Tribeca neighborhood. Leaving his wife and son in the West Village apartment. In 2004, James started dating Lora Somoza and the couple eventually got engaged. But it wasn’t too long until they called off their engagement and split up in 2005.

Finally, James fell in love with actress and model Deborah Lin, and they got married in 2008. The couple shared a daughter named Liliana Ruth Gandolfini, who was born in 2012.

Unfortunately, James Gandolfini passed away while vacationing in Rome, Italy back in 2013. The autopsy claimed that the late Hollywood star died from a heart attack.

Where Is Marcy Wudarski Now?

After their divorce, Marcy and her son Michael resided at Jame’s West Village apartment. Since there hasn’t been much news about Marcy after the divorce, we’re not sure if she and Michael still live there.

We also don’t know much about how her production career went or her current job. That’s if she had switched to a different industry, to begin with. Our theory is that Wudarski proceeded to live a normal life away from the public.

But that may not be the case with her son Michael Gandolfini, since the young star decided to follow in his father’s footsteps.

The Verdict

Marcella Wudarski was born on February 6, 1967, in Hudson, Florida. She worked different jobs until she landed a movie production career after moving to New York.

The aspiring producer met different Hollywood actors during her job, including her ex-husband James Gandolfini.

Marcy was asked to be James Gandolfini’s assistant, which she accepted. Later on, Wudarski and Gandolfini started dating, until they eventually married in 1999.

Later on, the marriage started to go downhill after James’s decision to leave the house and never come back.

Gandolfini filed a divorce, which was finalized in December 2002. Leaving Marcy and her son Michael in the West Village apartment and James in his newly bought apartment in the Tribeca neighborhood.

Featured image source: Pinterest

Secrets You Didn’t Know About Kamilla Kowal

Learning about your favorite celebrity’s life can be fun, and if you’re a regular Instagram user, then you’ve probably come across the profile of Kamilla Kowal.

The beautiful and talented Canadian actress has a large following on Instagram, and many people love to check her stunning photos and videos. So, who is Kamilla Kowal? Keep reading to learn more about her.

Birth and Childhood

Kamilla Kowal is a Canadian actress who was born on July 17th, 1997. This means that as of 2022, she is 25 years old. She was born and raised in Ontario, Canada.

Little is known about Kamilla Kowal’s family or childhood, but she once mentioned that she had one sister. Her zodiac sign is Cancer.

Education

Kowal went to St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School and then went to college. She graduated in 2019, but there are no details about her studies.

However, there’s some information about her playing soccer during high school. Moreover, it looks like she was pretty good at it because she was part of the school’s soccer association and won several matches. Other than that, nothing is known about her education.

Physical Appearance

Kamilla Kowal is slim and fit. She is about 5’6” tall, which is equal to 1.68 meters tall. She usually posts pictures on her Instagram profile to show off her fit body, and she probably spends a lot of time exercising at the gym. She probably weighs around 121 pounds.

She has dark brown wavy hair, but she sometimes changes its color when she’s playing a role. She’s also got beautiful hazel eyes.

Career

Kamilla Kowal has always had a thing for acting, so when she got a chance to appear on TV, she knew she wouldn’t miss it for the world. This is why she was thrilled to make her debut in an American TV series called “Web of Lies” in 2016.

She appeared in a single episode in 2016, playing a character called Cheyenne, but she immediately caught attention. People watching the show knew that a real star was born because she acted effortlessly, and they would still remember her performance after years.

This is why in the same year, she got a chance to appear in another successful American sitcom. “Letterkenny” marks Kowal’s real beginning as she’s been playing a recurring role since 2016.

In this show, Kamilla Kowal plays the character of Bonnie McMurray, the younger sister of McMurray, who has a massive crush on one of the main characters of the show, Wayne. Bonnie is a funny girl, who works at the dollar store after getting back from school, but later gets a job as a waitress.

Thanks to her beauty and nice attitude, she’s liked by many characters on the show but prefers not to get involved with any of them.

 

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Kowal’s success in playing this character granted her the appearance in several episodes, a total of 39 as of 2022. Since the new 11th season of “Letterkenny” is expected to air any time now, we believe that we’ll see more of Kowal’s talented performance.

In 2018, Kamilla Kowal appeared in a romantic movie called “The New Romantic.” Playing the character of Emily, it was obvious that Kowal has got a thing for comedy.

However, she found another role to show off her talent, and it was far from being funny. In 2019, she appeared in the Canadian thriller “American Hangman,” where she played the role of the teenage neighbor. Despite playing a minor role, it was clear that Kamilla Kowal is more than just a pretty face.

The film premiered on Netflix in January 2019 and showed in Canadian theaters in March 2019. Because it was available on Netflix, it was probably Kowal’s first chance to interact with an international audience.

In the same year, Kamilla Kowal continued to appear in two more TV movies, despite not playing big roles. She first appeared in the Canadian TV movie “Winter Love Story,” where she played the role of a student. The movie was shot in Ontario, very close to Kowal’s family home, so she probably enjoyed working on the set.

Later that year, she appeared in another movie, “Secrets in a Small Town.” It’s a thriller about a mother’s struggle when her teenage daughter goes missing, and Kowal plays the character of Maddie.

From her choices, it’s clear that Kamilla Kowal is quite picky about the projects she participates in. She wants to prove that she’s got what it takes to become a real star, and with this persistence, she’ll definitely reach her goals.

Relationships

Kamilla Kowal likes to keep her relationships private, unlike a lot of celebrities. This is why very little is known about her family life. She doesn’t share any pictures of her parents or siblings, so almost nothing is known about them.

However, she’s been in a relationship since 2019, and thanks to Instagram, we know the name of the lucky guy. Kowal’s boyfriend is called Luke McCaw, and she usually posts photos of both of them doing several activities. His Instagram profile shows that he’s currently studying for his MBA.

Social Media

Kamilla Kowal currently has more than 174K followers on Instagram, but she doesn’t post a lot of photos. Most of her photos are closeups of her face or shots of her fit physique.

She also sometimes uploads reels of paid partnerships or of her upcoming projects. It looks like Kowal is fond of taking photographs because she usually takes photos of the sky and landscape. She’s quite talented, too.

Net Worth

Despite her young age, Kamilla Kowal understood the power of social media and is currently establishing her status as a social media influencer. She receives money from acting but also does paid partnerships and collaborations to help promote several products. Her exact net worth is unknown, but it’s estimated to be around $200K.

Favorite Things

For a celebrity who likes to keep their lives private, Kamilla Kowal can be a little mysterious. However, in some interviews, she shared that she loves driving cars, in addition to her hobby of playing soccer.

She loves watching TV, and her favorite shows include “Sex and the City,” “Big Little Lies,” and “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.”

It’s true that Kowal loves mint chocolate dip ice cream, but she usually watches what she eats to stay fit and healthy. She loves dogs, and she has a beautiful dog called “Blue.”

Featured image source: Instagram

What Is Tim Pool’s Net Worth?

Tim Pool is an American YouTuber and journalist that came into the spotlight in 2011 with his unique coverage of the events of the Occupy Wall Street movement.

His YouTube channels are highly successful and offer social and cultural commentary content that’s incredibly popular among viewers.

Read on to learn about Tim Pool’s net worth as of 2022. This guide also sheds light on Pool’s sources of income and how he came to be as successful and well-known as he is today.

Tim Pool Net Worth and Earnings in 2022

The American journalist and YouTuber have an estimated net worth of $3.5-4 million. His main sources of income are YouTube revenues as well as his earnings from endorsement deals.

He has six YouTube channels in total. There are two main ones; one with his name and another that’s called Timcast IRL, on which he posts episodes of his podcast. The two channels have 1.32 and 1.12 million subscribers, respectively.

Pool’s podcast tackles a wide range of social and cultural issues. It’s hosted by Pool as he interviews well-known figures surrounding the issue being addressed by the episode and discusses it with them.

Pool is estimated to make about $500,000 from his YouTube channels each year. In reality, this figure may be higher or lower than our estimate due to the variation in the advertising revenues different YouTube channels bring in.

Tim Pool’s Upbringing and Journey

Timothy Daniel Pool was born in Chicago on March 9th, 1986. He and his three siblings were raised in a middle-class, two-parent household on the south side of the windy city.

Pool was a student at a Catholic school until the age of 14. After that, he dropped out and decided not to pursue any further education. Instead, he gave his full focus to his passion for videography and journalism.

His big break came 11 years later when he became involved in the live streaming of the Occupy Wall Street protests. This is when Tim Pool burst on the scene and became a household name.

He became the public’s direct correspondent right in the heart of the action, and his streams were directly used by prominent news channels like Al Jazeera and NBC in their broadcasts.

His work on the Occupy Wall Street movement catapulted him from being an obscure journalist to being picked up by the Vice Media company.

During his time there, he pioneered the crossover between social media live broadcasting and mainstream media channels.

His next stop was at Fusion TV, where he became the company’s director of media innovation in 2014.

 

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Tim Pool and the “Occupy Wallstreet” Movement

Now, let’s take a deep dive into the part Pool played in the Occupy Wall Street movement and how it put his name on the map.

Before the events of Occupy Wallstreet kicked off, Pool was trying to make his name as a videographer in the field of skateboarding. However, he shifted his efforts towards documenting the events of the protests along with Henry Ferry.

The raw, dynamic footage of the action that was captured by Pool quickly went viral. Within two weeks, Pool became the talk of the town. His coverage was relentless, with some of his streams lasting 20 hours at a time.

He racked up six-figure views on each stream, with one of his streams almost reaching 800,000 viewers.

This level of reach could simply not be ignored by major TV news media outlets. They quickly started rebroadcasting Pool’s streams and bringing him on as a correspondent to provide them with a street-level view of the events.

In fact, Pool and Ferry’s success prompted them to launch a media company named The Other 99. However, the existence of this venture was short-lived because the two couldn’t see eye to eye on the direction they should go with it.

What Came After?

The massive success that Pool had covering the events of the Occupy Wallstreet movement opened a lot of doors for him.

His coverage was an unprecedented bridge between mainstream media and online interactive live streaming. The result was his receiving the Shorty Award for “Best Social Media Journalist” in 2013.

This led to him being recruited as a producer and host by Vice Media. Not only that, but he was also hand-picked by the company as their live streaming correspondent for the 2014 upheaval in Ukraine. These protests were the ultimate demise of the Yanukovych regime.

This was followed by Pool’s aforementioned appointment by Fusion TV. Two years later, Pool parted ways with the company to join Isaac Phillips in starting a company called Tagg.ly.

This is an app that allows photographers and graphic designers to watermark their content and license it. However, this venture didn’t enjoy as much success as Pool would’ve liked.

Since then, Pool has opted to go independent and take his talents to YouTube. His channels have amassed millions of subscribers, and his content has garnered millions of views.

Conclusion

Tim Pool has gained millions of fans and made millions of dollars from his live coverage and commentary on social and cultural issues.

He burst onto the scene in 2011 for his on-the-ground coverage of the Occupy Wall Street movement and hasn’t looked back since. He has become a critically acclaimed journalist and a pioneer in the social media news space.

Tim Pool’s net worth is estimated to be between $3 and $4 million, thanks in large part to his YouTube channels and podcast that have been extremely successful.

Featured image source: Instagram

Ted Jorgensen: The Biological Father of the Second Richest Man in the World

A lot of people think that every successful person must have extraordinary parents and a special upbringing that contributed to his accomplishments.

This isn’t true, though. In fact, Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, never knew who his biological father was!

Ted Jorgensen, Bezos’ biological father, was estranged from the family when his son was just a one-year-old.

The two lost contact, and it wasn’t until recently that Jorgensen discovered that Jeff Bezos was his son.

Read on to know the sad story of Jeff Bezos’ estranged father, Ted Jorgensen.

Background on Ted Jorgensen

Ted Jorgensen was born in Chicago in 1944. Later on, he moved to New Mexico, where, as a teenager, he worked in the circus. He was a talented performer, often on the unicycle.

This wasn’t the most profitable job for Ted, so he started working in multiple low-wage retail jobs until he got married for the first time.

Marriage to Jackie Gise

In 1962, Jorgensen, only 18, met Jacquilyn Gise. The pair quickly got married, having barely known each other. A couple of years later, Jeffrey Preston Jorgensen was born.

Still, being blessed with a son wasn’t enough to keep the teenage couple together. The couple got a divorce almost as quickly as their marriage when Jeff was only one year old.

This divorce, finalized in 1965, resulted from Ted’s drinking habits, which often led to a bad temper. However, it turned out to be for the best since Ted later got sober, and Jackie remarried Cuban immigrant Miguel Bezos.

Second Marriage

The divorce and loss of family left Jorgensen in a depressed state. Still, he turned things around, and eventually, Jorgensen got sober.

Several years later, Ted married his second wife, Linda. Together, the couple raised four children; Mike, Lee, Darin, and Todd, though none were his biological children.

Career

In 1976, Ted moved to Phoenix, Arizona. There, he opened his first bike shop, Road Runner Bike Center, which turned out to be a success.

Six years later, Ted took his business to Glendale. The store was a hit among locals, with amazing Yelp reviews.

Relationship With Jeff Bezos

 

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After the divorce, Ted barely had any contact with his ex-wife and son. In fact, Jackie requested that Jorgensen not interfere with her new family.

When Jeff was only four years old, Miguel Bezos legally adopted him, leaving Ted’s name completely out of the picture.

Nevertheless, Jorgensen didn’t consider himself to be a good guy. He willingly approved of the adoption, especially since he knew Jeff would have a much better life with Miguel.

In addition, Jorgensen admitted to having had problems. “I wasn’t a good father or a good husband,” he stated in an interview with reporter Brad Stones.

Ted had no contact with the Bezos family whatsoever. In fact, he forgot the family’s last name. This resulted in him knowing absolutely nothing about his only biological son’s life, despite Bezos being the founder of one of the most successful companies in the world.

It was only in 2012 that Jorgensen found out Bezos was his biological son. Brad Stones, who was writing a biography about the business mogul, got in touch with Jorgensen for more information. Otherwise, Ted would’ve never found out about the existence of his son.

“I’m his biological father, and I just want to shake his hand and tell him he’s done well and be recognized as his father.”

Ted repeatedly expressed his wish to meet Jeff. He had hoped the publicity about his emergence would bring Jeff to agree to meet him. However, he only received a letter from Bezos, the content of which remains unknown.

Death

Unfortunately, Jorgensen passed away without having his wish realized. Ted died on the 16th of March 2015, almost two years after knowing who his biological son was.

Jorgensen died at 71 due to natural causes and was buried in Arizona.

In Conclusion

Ted Jorgensen, a bike shop owner, was Jeff Bezos’ biological father. The pair lost contact when Jeff was only a one-year-old.

This was due to Ted’s bad drinking habits, which led to him completely forgetting the last name of the man that adopted his biological son.

When Jorgensen was approached by a reporter about Bezos’ biography, the 69-year-old was stunned to find out the extent of his son’s success. However, Ted admitted to being a bad father and only wished to meet Jeff, his only biological son.

Sadly, Bezos only sent a letter to his father. In 2015, Jorgensen passed away without ever meeting his son.

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Binturi and Other Words Meaning in Raya and the Last Dragon

Raya and the Last Dragon is a fascinating movie full of strange lands and mysterious words that you’ll find yourself aching to know the meaning behind.

The word “binturi,” for example, is used in the movie to reference the nemesis. It was created by writers to be used as an insult, meaning thief or liar.

Another word you’ll hear throughout the movie is “dep la.” This one is used as a description, and it means “best friend.”

While watching Raya and the Last Dragon, I heard quite a few words and names that held either cultural or linguistic meanings within them.

Join me in this article to learn about the hidden references in those words!

Binturi Meaning in Raya and the Last Dragon

Before we dive into the meaning of the strange words in Raya and the Last Dragon, I should tell you about the plot and background of the film as it will help you understand the words and relate them to each culture in the best way possible.

Plot and Background

The movie starts in the fantasy nation of Kumandra. Long ago, the dragons and humans lived together in peace in this land. However, evil monsters, called the Druun, showed up to destroy Kumandra and threaten the existing harmony.

To save humanity, the dragons sacrificed themselves!

Five hundred years later, the Druun have returned with their threats again. Now it’s up to Raya to find the last dragon and stop those monsters forever.

Unlike most Disney movies, Raya and the Last Dragon is actually an original story, meaning it isn’t based on old legends but was the result of the inspiration of the Malaysian co-screenwriter, Adele Lim. She talked about how Raya was a symbol that represents the southeast women she grew up with.

To create the movie “Raya and the Last Dragon,” Disney had to think outside of the box. They combined elements of various Asian cultures to create a complete story that drew on real-life cultures.

To get the best results, Disney created a team that was dubbed the Southeast Asia Story Trust. This team was composed of anthropologists, linguists, and musicians from many southeast Asian countries.

The harmonious unity of countries such as Malaysia, Vietnam, and Cambodia left a great effect on the cultural background of the movie.

Binturi

In Raya and the Last Dragon, the word “binturi” is used as an insult or a derogatory term. In the movie, Namaari betrays Raya and steals a precious gem from her tribe. Hence, Raya uses this word to refer to Namaari, her nemesis.

Just as Tolkien created the Elvish language for The Lord of the Rings, David J. Peterson was the reason behind the Kumandran dialect. Basically, Binturi is a made-up word that could mean either traitor, liar, or thief.

Moreover, the movie was heavily inspired by Southeast Asian cultures. So, the word “binturi” could probably be taken from the word “Venturi” in Malaysian and Indonesian cultures as well.

In Malaysia, there’s a delicious drink called Venturi that’s been around for over thirty years and can be found almost everywhere in Asia. Also, in Indonesia, the word venturi actually means “to have fun.”

Meaning of Other Words in Raya and the Last Dragon

Besides the word “binturi,” there were other words I heard in the movie that were unfamiliar to me but have a significant meaning. Let’s explore some of these words!

Dep La

When I first heard this word in the movie, I thought maybe I heard wrong or the subtitles were off, but it was right indeed.

“Dep La” has two meanings; our real-world meaning and the meaning in the movie.

Just as “binturi” might’ve been taken from Malaysian or Indonesian cultures, “Dep la” is originally a Vietnamese word meaning “strangely beautiful.”

The word “Đẹp” in Vietnamese translates to “beautiful.” You can use it for both males and females and can describe anything else from animals to objects.

In the movie, however, the word “Dep la” is used to describe a close friend, and it translates to “best friend.” You’ll see a young Raya using it when addressing Namaari before she betrayed Raya.

Ba

Going into any American household, you’ll notice the kids referring to the father figure using dad, daddy, or father. But “ba”? Now that’s a word you don’t hear very often!

“Ba,” or bố, is a Vietnamese word that means father. It’s a friendly yet respectful term used by the Vietnamese when addressing their dads. During the movie, you’ll hear Raya referring to her dad as ba.

Oh, Toi

No, not the French “toi.” It’s still Vietnamese here!

The Disney team didn’t stray too far from Asia when it came to the language in the movie. “Oh, toi” is a Vietnamese word used in the movie that means “oh, we’re doomed.”

When Sisu turns human and is stuck with Raya in a perilous situation, you’ll hear her say, “Oh, toi.” Sisu is using it to comment on how they’re in an ill-fated position.

Sisu

This word, or rather name, is the one given to the last dragon in the movie.

Sisu is an old Finnish term dating back to hundred years ago. This word is used to describe going beyond your own physical or mental limits.

It’s a Finnish concept used to describe bravery, perseverance, and grit. It’s actually held by the Finns themselves as an expression of their resilient character.

Sisu symbolizes courage and strength in the face of hardships where success can be difficult to achieve and the odds are stacked against you.

This Finnish name, Sisu, was picked for the dragon because of the aforementioned meanings. It reflects the determination and courage in her character and mannerism throughout the movie.

Tuk Tuk

Raya’s constant companion and ride throughout the movie is called Tuk Tuk. When I first heard the name, it rang a bell almost immediately.

You might think it’s a cute name for this part armadillo and part dog creature, but it actually has a cultural reference.

Tuk-tuks are a type of transportations vehicles commonly used around Southeast Asia. They originated in Japan around the 1930s and then spread to much of Asia as a convenient means of transport.

So, just like the rest of the names and words were derived from Asian cultures, this cute pet’s name didn’t deviate from the norm.

In Summary

Raya and the Last Dragon offers a joyful and intriguing viewing experience filled with fantasy and mystery. One of the reasons why it’s so enjoyable is the use of unfamiliar words, “Binturi” being one of them.

In short, “Binturi” is a derogatory term that means thief or liar. Raya used the word to refer to Namaari, her nemesis, after getting betrayed by her.

The 3 Major Characteristics of Appetizer Salad

Tasty, healthy, and really delicate, an appetizer salad is one of the most popular and original appetizers out there. To create an exceptional appetizer salad, it has to be flavorsome, attractive, and, most importantly, light.

Join me in this article to discover the main characteristics of appetizer salad that’ll turn you into a salad-pro!

Characteristics of Appetizer Salad

To serve the perfect appetizer salad, you need to know what makes it different from other salads and how it’ll appeal to your guests. Let’s start with the characteristics.

First Characteristic:  Heavy on Flavor

The main purpose behind an appetizer salad is to pique the interest of the eater for what’s to come next, without making them too full.  A unique, tangy flavor is essential to get the stomach rumbling for more when it comes to appetizer salads.

Salad dressing makes all the difference here. In salad dressings, oil and vinegar are usually combined or a creamy base is used. Moreover, they can have herbs in them to zap the tongue with their appetizing flavor.

Second Characteristic: Colorful and Attractive

While the functions of taste, smell and vision are quite distinct when it comes to eating and appreciating food, sight seems to rule over the other senses. Visual stimulation has been shown to alter a person’s perception of taste and even smell.

A common saying among chefs out there is that the eyes eat before the mouth. As a result, any food that looks unattractive is usually left unconsumed.

It’s primarily for this reason that the color, gloss, and shape of an appetizer salad are so significant. A beautiful appetizer salad sets a pleasant tone for the rest of the meal because it’s served first.

Third Characteristic: Light and Small

The goal of an appetizer salad is to stimulate the appetite and set the stage for an enjoyable meal. Giving your guest a big plate full to its edges will have the opposite of that effect.

Later, when the main dish arrives, you’ll see that many guests are full from eating what was supposed to be a simple appetizer.

Keep your salad plate small and cut its contents into easily chewable pieces. Don’t forget, it’s meant to be easy to eat and light on the stomach, so make sure to keep the served portions small.

FAQWhat are the main components of a salad?

The four main components of a salad are base, body, garnish, and additional elements, such as the dressing.

The base of the salad bowl represents the leafy greens that make up a healthy salad, like arugula, or romaine.The body of a salad consists of the main ingredients, such as red meat, fish, or legumes.Garnish is used to enhance the look and taste of the salad without overwhelming your taste buds. Some people like to use thyme or rosemary.The finishing touch to your salad is the dressing, which is usually made of oil, vinegar, and various herbs.How to make the perfect appetizer salad?

Now that you know the characteristics of appetizer salads, it’s time to know what principles to follow to make a delicious one!

Let me show you the tips and tricks that I’ve learned throughout my years of cooking.

1. Homemade Is Always Better

When it comes to your salad dressing and the sauces, best steer clear from the bottled or packet dressings in your local store. You can make your favorite dressing at home with your kitchen ingredients.

Moreover, it’s best not to apply the dressing if you’re not serving the salad immediately, as this could affect its looks. Also, don’t overdress the salad but keep it simple as well as attractive.

Rather than being overly complicated, your salads should look appetizing and effortless.

2. Keep It Fresh

Although it may have been said before, ignoring this point is not an option. To give your salad a fresh, crisp taste, you should only use fresh produce, maybe from your farmer’s market, and avoid anything canned.

Washing the produce goes without saying, but don’t forget to drain your veggies or fruits properly before putting them in the bowl. You don’t want water in that salad making everything taste awkward!

3. Mix and Match

My favorite personal advice is to go wild with the colors!

Your peppers can be more than just green and the tomatoes aren’t strictly red. You can use red or yellow peppers for an attractive look with yellow Heirloom tomatoes for a softer flavor.

To give a beautiful contrast in the texture while eating, mix crisp and soft ingredients together. This will definitely have your guests asking for more.

What are the main types of salads?

There are four main salad types out there that you should know about.

Appetizer salads: They’re served at the beginning of the meal and you can make them with fresh vegetables or fruits.Side salads: They match the rest of the meal in flavor, color, and texture.Main-dish salads: They’re hearty and filling, with larger portions and hot ingredients.Dessert salads: You can make them from fruit gelatin or a fruit mixture, with whipped cream for a lovely finish.Conclusion

One surefire way to make a meal far more interesting is to add an appetizer salad. Put together a salad with lots of delicious ingredients and watch how it catches people’s attention!

The characteristics of appetizer salad make it a simple and popular dish. Not only is it mouth-watering, but it’s also healthy and light.

How Long Does PacSun Take to Ship? Everything You Need to Know

Now that you placed your online PacSun order, you probably can’t wait for it to arrive. You’re sitting there wondering, how long does PacSun take to ship? How can I track my PacSun order?

Here’s everything you need to know.

How Long Does PacSun Take to Ship?

PacSun doesn’t only ship orders domestically but also internationally. Here’s how long both methods take.

PacSun’s Domestic Shipping

For domestic shipping, PacSun offers three different shipping options for you to choose how fast you want your order to arrive.

Standard Shipping

Standard shipping costs $6 and would take around seven business days to ship.

Standard shipping is also available for Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Alaska, but it takes from 10 to 12 business days to ship to these areas.

Express Shipping

Express shipping costs $13 and would take around 2 to 3 business days to ship. Unfortunately, express shipping isn’t available for international shipping.

Overnight Shipping

Overnight shipping costs $20. PacSun offers to deliver your order in only one business day, and you can also get your order on the same day if you order at the right time.

For same-day delivery, all you need to do is to make sure you order around 9 AM PST and check if you’re near one of these PacSun store locations.

PacSun’s International Shipping

PacSun international shipping fees and durations are different from those of domestic shipping.

The international shipping duration of PacSun is four business days for the orders to ship from the international hub.

Additionally to these four days, you should consider transit times, which may differ depending on the day and where you are. So there isn’t a definite amount of time for PacSun to ship international orders. This also applies to shipping fees, which will vary from one country to the other.

Even so, PacSun often offers their international customers exclusive shipping rates, so keep an eye out for any offers.

How to Track Your PacSun Order?

PacSun sends emails to their international and domestic customers to notify them that their order has been shipped successfully. They also provide tracking information in the email so they can check their order status whenever they want to.

If you are a domestic customer, you can track your order here, and if you are an international customer, click here. The tracker will show you the phase your order is currently at, and it’ll let you know how much longer you have until you receive your order.

The feature can come incredibly in handy if you constantly move places and want to make sure you’ll be able to get your order personally.

Summary

In short, PacSun offers standard, express, and overnight shipping domestically in the United States. As for international shipping, it depends more on the delivery destination.

Each shipping method has a different fee, with overnight shipping being the most expensive. If you manage to submit your order at the right time, you can even get your order on the same day.

All About International Shipment Release Import

You know that exhilarating feeling of excitement you get when you order something and wait for it to be delivered? You check the package status every few minutes because you just can’t wait for it to be out for delivery.

Instead, you get the “international shipment release import” status and wonder, “What does that even mean?”

In this post, we’re going to answer that question and share some much-needed insights on how packages are delivered as well as how long the process can take.

We’ll also be addressing some frequently asked questions that we see floating around the web regarding today’s topic, so stick around!

International Shipment Release Import in a Nutshell

International shipment release import is a package status that you may get when you order something internationally.

Each country has different customs regulations and laws, and according to these regulations and laws, the customs department may check your package differently.

The customs department receives the package from the transport company when it arrives at an airport or a port to be examined.

Next, they apply any required custom taxes and duties on your package. Then, after paying and finishing the needed paperwork, they release it back to the transport company.

By that time, the transport company can start delivering your package to the address you chose.

How Long Does the International Shipment Release Import Process Take?

The importing release mainly depends on the country. Generally, you can expect your package to be released from the customs department in around 3-5 business days.

In the United States, it can take about 24 hours to inspect packages, but sometimes it can take more time.

What Is the Difference Between International Shipment Release Import and Export?

Unlike importing, most countries don’t apply any strict or specific regulations and laws on goods that they export.

Before exporting any goods, the shipping country inspects the goods before handing them over to the transport company for shipping.

That being said, next time you get an “international shipment release export” notification, know that the package is still in the shipping county.

How Does International Shipping Work?

If you’re interested in how international shipping works but find it confusing, here’s a simplified glimpse of how everything goes.

The first step is export customs clearance, which is basically when the shipper starts delivering the packages to the origin warehouse where they inspect them.

After that, they load the packages and send them to the origin port, where they stuff them into containers and load them onto ships or airplanes.

When the cargo arrives at the destination, the customs department begins to inspect the goods and apply the taxes and duties on them.

Finally, the customs department releases them to the consignee to pay these taxes and finish the remaining paperwork.

The consignee then starts to unload the packages and starts to deliver them to customers.

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Why Your Package Can Be Stuck in Customs and What Should You Do?

Having your packages stuck in customs can be frustrating, but you should know the reason why this happens so that you can avoid it in the future or hopefully resolve an issue you’re facing currently.

The first reason may be that your package clearance documentation isn’t completed yet. This can be due to a false piece of information or a wrong address.

The second potential reason why your package is stuck in customs is unpaid taxes. You need to double-check if you have any unpaid taxes on your package to resolve this issue.

The third reason is that the item might be illegal or prohibited in your country. In this case, the customs department may stop the release of your package or destroy it.

Conclusion

In summary, the “international shipment release import” status is when the customs department releases a package and the transport company is about to send the package out for delivery.

The whole process might take about 3-5 days, depending on the country’s regulations and laws on imported goods.

Your package may get stuck in customs for a few reasons, as indicated above. If that’s the case, you should get in contact with your shipper or carrier to update your information or pay the due taxes.

All of that being said, you shouldn’t be alarmed if you receive the “international shipment release import” status. It’s nothing to worry about.

FAQs

Do you still have some unanswered questions? Here are a few frequently asked questions that might be on your mind.

What Does the Package Available for Clearance Mean?

After the customs department releases a package, it becomes ready for clearance. Ready for clearance means that the transport company can receive the package and start delivering it to customers.

Will I Get Compensated for My Lost Package?

The answer is yes. Most, if not all, transport companies refund their customers for lost, stolen, and damaged packages.

How Long Does International Shipment Release Import for FedEx Take?

With FedEx, you have the option to import from over 90 countries. For the United States, FedEx international shipment release import takes 2-5 business days. For neighboring countries such as Canada and Mexico, it takes 2-3 business days.

What Does Released From Import Customs Mean?

The “released from customs” status means that the goods have gone through all of the customs formalities and are ready to be picked up by the importer. Note that goods can go through all the customs formalities with or without paying taxes and duties.

Cars That Start With N: Top 15 Brands

If you’re interested in cars or -like me- healthily obsessed with vehicles, chances are you like looking and learning about different car brands and types.

On your journey, you’ve probably tried browsing through cars by a particular style or a certain price range. But what about the alphabetical route?

I’ve taken it upon myself to put together lists of car brands depending on the first letter in their names. As such, today we’re looking at 15 cars that start with N and sharing brief descriptions to help you learn more about them.

1. Nash-Healey

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1953-Nash Healey

Nash-Healey was a 2-seat sports vehicle that resulted from the collaboration in design and development between Nash Motors and the British automobile manufacturer Donald Healey.

This sports car was in production for the American market for around 3 years, specifically from 1951 to 1954.

The Nash-Healey was the first sports car to be made after World War II and it managed to surpass the Chevrolet Corvette that came out in 1953. It even used to participate in competitions in multiple international racing events.

2. Navistar

Based in Lisle, Illinois, Navistar International Corporation was founded in 1993. It was previously the International Harvester Company, established in 1902.

This company produces car parts and offers services that are being sold in almost 1,000 dealer outlets throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil, as well as over 60 dealers in 90 countries across the globe.

Additionally, Navistar provides financing solutions for its distributors and customers mainly via its wholly-owned company: Navistar Financial Corporation.

3. Neri & Bonacini

Established by Giorgio Neri and Lucciano Bonacini, Neri & Bonacini was active between the 1950s until 1967. It was a small auto body and mechanic shop located in Modena, Italy.

This shop focused its activities on designing and manufacturing bodies for Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Maserati race and road cars.

Some of Neri & Bonacini’s best works included the Lamborghini 400GT Monza and the Ferrari 250 GT-based Nembo spiders. The duo also developed their own road car called the Neri and Bonacini Studio GT Due Litri.

4. Neuspeed

Established in 1975, Neuspeed is an American company that makes aftermarket automotive components. Headquartered in California, United States, this family-owned company designs and builds high-quality performance parts for various vehicles.

It also worked on modifying several cars back in the day, including the Neuspeed A4 Touring Car, Neuspeed Civic Si, and Neuspeed Thunder Bunny.

5. NEVS

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NEVS 9-3EV

Next up on today’s list of cars that start with N is the Swedish automaker NEVS AB. Founded in 2012 and based in Trollhättan, Sweden, this company operated under the umbrella of the China Evergrande New Energy Vehicle Group.

In 2017, the company introduced its “InMotion” concept car. This vehicle featured an interior that can be adjusted according to its passengers’ needs and was meant to be used to produce a fleet of entirely autonomous cars.

NEVS has been developing the concept since then to make their future autonomous cars more practical and flexible.

6. Nickey

Founded in 1925 and based in Chicago, Illinois, Nickey Chevrolet was an automobile dealership for Chevrolet cars.

During the 1950s, this company was one of the world’s biggest factory dealerships. It offered modifications for high-performance muscle vehicles such as Corvettes and Camaros.

Nickey ran for many good years until shutting down in 1973.

7. Nikolo

Established in 2016 and headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Nikolo is an American automobile manufacturer that has produced a series of emission-free cars since its debut.

Owned by Trevor Milton, this company came out with a high-level plan for the Nikola One; a hydrogen-powered Class 8 vehicle. This design equipped the car with a 320 kWh EV battery that can power 6 electric traction engines (each wheel gets one).

Also in 2016, the company introduced the Nikola NZT, a concept car in the utility vehicle (UTV) style that features a 72 or 107 kWh battery.

8. NIO

NIO is a Chinese automaker that was founded in 2014. Based in Shanghai, China, this multinational company is owned by William Li and operates under the parent group NIO NextEV Limited.

Its activity is focused on designing and engineering electric cars. The first model they pumped out was the NIO EP9, a sports car that was introduced on the very same day the company was founded.

The NIO EP9 featured an artificial intelligence (AI) technology called NOMI, which is supposedly the first in-car artificial intelligence approach to be used in production cars.

NOMI can do a bunch of things such as setting cabin temperature, activating car navigation, controlling music, opening or closing windows, and even taking a selfie of passengers (exclusive to NIO cars).

9. Nismo

Established in 1984, Nismo is a subsidiary of Nissan Motorsports that manufactures luxury classic cars. Based in Yokohama, Japan,

Nismo produced its first car in 1987, called the Skyline R31 GTS-R Group. It was an Evolution Special with only 823 copies available. Similarly, there were only 560 copies of the 1990 Skyline GT-R Nismo ever made.

Both cars came equipped with enhanced features of aerodynamics, weight savings, reliability, and performance that helped them compete among other Group A cars.

Nismo also released the S14 Silvia 270R and the R33 Skyline 400R, both of which carried extensive improvements in the suspension, transmission, chassis, brakes, and aerodynamics.

10. Nissan

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Nissan Versa

Founded in 1933, Nissan is a world-renowned brand that’s headquartered in Nishi-Ku, Yokohama, Japan. Its parent company is Renault and it’s one of the most famous manufacturers of cats that start with N.

This multinational automaker has been a member of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance since 1999.

The 2020 Nissan Versa is one of the company’s most established models. It’s been entirely redesigned with standard automatic emergency braking (forward and reverse).

Another popular model is the Nissan Kicks, which offers great reliability and excellent safety ratings at an affordable price. It also comes with a surprisingly roomy interior and a spacious cargo area.

The Kicks is a  subcompact SUV that can comfortably accommodate 5 people with an interior that features standard comfort and technology aspects.

So if you’re after a reasonably-priced vehicle that starts with N, then the Nissan cars should be on top of your preferences list.

11. Noble Automotive

Established in 1999 and based in Leicester, England, Noble Automotive is a great choice if you’re looking for a good sports car brand that begins with N.

Commonly known as Noble, this  British company operates under Hi-Tech Automotive and is owned by Bowie Liu.

In 1999, the company produced its first car called the Noble M10; a 2-door, 2-seat convertible vehicle. It featured a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated motor.

The 2000–2008 Noble M12 was also a 2-door, 2-seat model that was meant to double as a convertible and coupe. These cars were equipped with Ford Duratec V6 engines.

The company publicly tested a prototype for the M600 in the United States and stated that its performance compares to a  Ferrari Enzo and a Porsche Carrera GT.

In 2018, the Noble M500 was first introduced at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

12. Norman E. Timbs

As a mechanical engineer, Norman E. Timbs is well-known for designing and building the 1948 Norman E. Timbs Buick Streamliner. This muse of a classic car was and continues to be one of the most sought-after automobile designs around the globe.

13. Nota

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Nota Sports and Racing Cars_Image source: Pinterest

Founded in 1952, Nota is an Australian automotive manufacturer that’s based in Dural, New South Wales, Australia.

It’s fully known as Nota Sports and Racing Cars, which gives you an idea of its specialty. In the late 1950s, the company designed and built Formula Junior cars in both front and mid-engined configurations.

Additionally, Nota produced multiple single-mail racing vehicles for hill and track climbs. The year 1963 was when the company released several produced mini-engine sports vehicles.

In 2003, Nota came out with the Nota Le Mans, equipped with a 1100cc or 1300cc Suzuki GTi motorcycle engine. But you can also get it fitted with a Toyota 6-speed 1800cc VVTi or the V6 3.5-liter quad-cam to conquer highways.

14. Nova Engineering

Nova Engineering is an Italian full-service car company that offers support in engineering and other consultancy aspects for various sectors.

The 1991 Nova Engineering R91CK is one of the company’s masterpieces, which is among several other examples of the company’s involvement in designing and developing full vehicles or parts for race and road car markets.

15. Novitec Rosso

Novitec Rosso is a car brand that has earned a stellar reputation as a high-end tuner for huge manufacturers such as Ferrari and McLaren.

The company operated under the umbrella of the Novitec tuning company; a much larger group that specializes in modifying vehicles from many Italian brands such as Fiat and Alfa Romeo.

Additionally, Novitec founded another branch of the company in 2007 that works on Maserati vehicles.

Mastering the Simple Present Tense Formula

One of the most fundamental tenses in the English language is the simple present tense. It’s also one of the first tenses students learn.

The reason is that the simple present tense is the first building block of communicating intelligibly, so it’s essential to know how to build the tense’s various structures.

In this post, we define the simple present tense, as well as explain its formula and structure rules. We also have a few examples, so let’s dive in!

Definition of Simple Present Tense

The simple present tense is a verb tense that’s used to express a fact, generalization, repeated actions, and scheduled events in the future, as well as a state or feeling.

Facts and Generalizations

One of the most common uses of the simple present tense is to state facts, such as “Florida is in America” or “The moon is a natural satellite.”

You can also use this verb tense to make broad generalizations about people or things, such as “Cats like fish” and “Children don’t like school.”

Repeated Actions and Events

Another instance in which you would use the simple present tense is when referring to a recurring action or event. These actions include habits, hobbies, and events that happen frequently.

Scheduled Events in the Future

You can talk about scheduled events or fixed arrangements using the simple present tense.

The schedule or timetable is usually established by an organization or an outside party, rather than by you.

A State or Feeling

In some cases, you can use the simple present tense to describe a state or feeling that you’re experiencing or not experiencing right now. You can only do this using stative verbs.

For example, “I feel great” and “He trusts his older sister” are sentences that describe a state or feeling rather than an action.

Simple Present Tense Formula

There are three main formulas for the simple present tense. You can use each formula depending on the sentence structure—positive, negative, or interrogative.

The three formulas of the simple present tense are:

Positive sentences: subject + verb + objectNegative sentences: subject + do not/does not + verb + objectInterrogative sentences: Do/Does + subject + verb + object OR
WH question word + do/does + subject + verb + objectSentence Structure Rules

You can form a simple present sentence by following one of the three sentence structures—positive, negative, or interrogative—and conjugating the verb accordingly.

Positive Sentences

In simple present positive sentences, if the subject is third-person singular (he, she, or it), add an “s” or an “es” to the verb.

In the case of first, second, or plural third-person subjects, simply follow the positive sentence formula without making any changes.

Negative Sentences

To make a simple present negative sentence, start by adding the helping verb “do” following a first, second, plural third-person subject, and “does” following a singular third-person subject.

Then, either add “not” to form the negation or use the contraction “don’t” or “doesn’t.”

Interrogative Sentences

There are two structures that you can follow to ask a question using the simple present tense.

If you want to ask a yes/no question, begin the question with the helping verbs “do” or “does,” then the subject, verb, and, finally, the object.

Add a WH question word before the “do/does + subject + verb + object” formula to ask for specific information.

ExamplesPositive Sentences:The second period starts at 8:20 a.m.Jessica goes to the arcade on weekends.The children play hide-and-seek during lunchtime.We wash the dishes after dinner.Negative Sentences:Andrew doesn’t eat fruit after six p.m.It doesn’t like cold weather.They don’t watch TV in the morning.Teachers don’t answer questions after class.Interrogative Sentences:Does she work at this store?Where does Brad go to study?How do we get there?Do they like ice cream?