One of the World's Oldest Synagogues is Reopening in Egypt

Egypt has reopened the historic Ben Ezra synagogue, one of the world's oldest synagogues and home to the significant Cairo Geniza collection of Jewish manuscripts. The synagogue, originally constructed in the 12th century, underwent a decade-long restoration process, culminating in its recent inauguration. This reopening not only celebrates Egypt's rich Jewish heritage but also highlights the country's commitment to preserving its cultural treasures.

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Stranger Welcomes Fans Into Home After Heated Rivalry Forces Them From Local Bar

It started as a snowy inconvenience and ended as a night 21 strangers won’t forget. On December 12, a group of Heated Rivalry fans bundled up and headed to Wilka’s in New York City for a season finale watch party. The bar was packed before the event even started. Lines stretched out into the street, snow falling, spirits still high. But with capacity maxed out and no nearby bars able to show the episode properly, the night could have easily fizzled. Instead, Jon Chan — a fan in line like everyone else — offered a solution: “I live literally a block away. Why don’t we all just go to my place?” No one expected the night to turn into something so personal, so communal, or so joyful. “We stopped at a bodega for snacks and ginger ale — which felt so on-brand for the show — and then headed to Jon’s apartment,” said attendee Catherine Daniel, who later posted a TikTok that helped the moment go viral. “It was such a fun and spontaneous evening.” Inside Chan’s living room, 21 people — most of whom had never met — gathered around the TV to watch the finale. Some had already seen it. Others were watching for the first time. But the reactions were collective: gasps, laughs, tears, hugs. “Those of us who had already watched sat in the corner and recorded the group whenever we knew a big moment was coming,” Daniel said. “Seeing everyone feel the same emotions was so comforting.” Chan had spent most of the day alone. He wasn’t feeling great and had only left the house to catch the bar event. “There were maybe 50 people stranded outside, peeking through the glass,” he said. “I just figured — I have space, I love the show, and this fandom has been so kind. Why not?” The group called their newly formed chat Jon’s Cottage — a nod to episode six of the show — and quickly started planning what to do for season two. The apartment may have been temporary, but the friendships weren’t. One moment hit especially hard for Chan — a scene where the character Shane opens up to his mom. “I’m a millennial, I’m Asian, and I came out at 14. It wasn’t easy then,” he said. “That scene brought everything back.” When fellow guests saw him get emotional, they comforted him without hesitation. “These were strangers an hour earlier,” Chan said. “Recovering from heartbreak has been hard. To have this unexpected gift of community meant everything.” The warmth extended beyond the episode. Guests stayed behind to help clean up. They offered thanks, hugs, and shared stories. Some posted about the night on social media. Daniel’s TikTok, captioned “When you try to go to a bar to watch Heated Rivalry but it’s too crowded so you form a crew to find your own cottage,” resonated with thousands. “Made some friends at the Wilka’s line,” another attendee wrote on Instagram. “Ended up at a stranger’s apartment and had an impromptu watch party.” For many in the group, it wasn’t just about the show. It was about representation. About connection. About what it means to find common ground — and joy — with total strangers. “It’s been so great to see a show like this with an Asian man as a romantic lead,” said attendee Louise Cheer. “People are just eating it up.” As for Chan, he’s still reflecting on how the night unfolded. “It felt like the kind of spontaneous community moment that could only happen in New York City,” he said. “I can’t imagine a better way to end this show — and this year. It’s a moment I’ll never forget.”

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104-Year-Old WWII Vet Captivates Crowd With Moving Saxophone National Anthem at Islanders Game

Moments before puck drop at a recent New York Islanders game, a packed arena fell silent as a 104-year-old man took his seat at center ice. Wearing a “World War II Veteran” cap, Dominick Critelli raised his saxophone — and delivered a version of the national anthem that no one in the building is likely to forget. There was no flashy arrangement. No vocal fireworks. Just one man, a century-old horn, and a hauntingly heartfelt rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” As Critelli played the final sustained note, the 17,000 fans inside UBS Arena rose to their feet, erupting in chants of “USA! USA!” with some visibly emotional in the crowd. The NHL team later posted the performance online, where it quickly went viral. Comments poured in from viewers moved by the moment — not just for the music, but for what it represented. “This man is a National treasure. All of our Veterans are,” wrote one user. “To live through one of the world's biggest wars and still live to 104.” Others couldn’t believe the physical feat alone. “I'm half his age and don’t have near that lung capacity,” one viewer joked. “There were no crazy notes or showmanship,” another commented. “Just 100% patriotism. Exactly how it should be played.” Critelli, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II, was honored earlier this year with the French Legion of Honor for helping liberate France. Speaking to The New York Post, he recalled meeting President Emmanuel Macron: “He pins a medal on me, kisses me on both cheeks, and I ask, ‘If I’m a knight, where’s my sword and horse?’” The centenarian credited his longevity to good humor — and a nightly half-glass of wine. Despite his age, Critelli still performs regularly. And while the melody of “The Star-Spangled Banner” might be familiar, it’s a notoriously difficult piece to play — especially solo, and especially in front of thousands. That’s part of what made the moment so remarkable. “I was at the game,” one fan commented on YouTube. “Not only to have this amazing person lead the way with the national anthem, but the crowd singing along in such a subtle tone. It was a very emotional experience.” Another wrote, “I think because things are so bad right now, this brought me to tears right away. And another thing, never forget that it ain’t over till it’s over. You’re young as you think you are.” For one night, and one stirring performance, Dominick Critelli reminded thousands — and now, millions — what strength, humility, and patriotism can sound like.

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MacKenzie Scott Donated $7.2 Billion in 2025 — Her Biggest Year Yet

MacKenzie Scott is continuing to reshape modern philanthropy, not through flashy announcements or splashy press conferences, but by quietly giving away staggering amounts of money. In a blog post published earlier this month, Scott revealed she donated $7.2 billion in 2025 — her largest single-year total to date. The announcement brings her six-year philanthropic tally to over $26 billion, placing her just behind Warren Buffett and Bill Gates in lifetime giving. Scott’s net worth, estimated at $30 billion, comes largely from her stake in Amazon following her divorce from company founder Jeff Bezos. She pledged in 2019 to donate the majority of her fortune, and based on the past year’s pace, she’s rapidly closing in on that goal. Her 2025 donations more than doubled her 2024 total of $2.6 billion and more than tripled the $2.1 billion given in 2023. But even as headlines fixate on the scale of her giving, Scott urged people to look at the broader picture. “This dollar total will likely be reported in the news, but any dollar amount is a vanishingly tiny fraction of the personal expressions of care being shared into communities this year,” she wrote. She highlighted data from 2020 showing $471 billion in U.S. charitable donations — nearly a third of which came from gifts under $5,000 — to underscore the impact of collective giving. A Closer Look at 2025 Of nearly 200 organizations supported by Scott this year, about 120 had received grants from her before. The biggest single recipient was Forests, People, Climate (FPC) — a group focused on reversing tropical deforestation — which received $90 million. That grant brought FPC’s total funding to more than $1 billion. “Now is the time for climate philanthropy to take action with vision and courage,” said FPC executive director Lindsey Allen, calling for support of “the bold leaders best suited to protect” forests. The second-largest gift went to Ocean Resilience & Climate Alliance, another environmental group. But education was the biggest category overall, receiving 18 percent of Scott’s total giving for the year. Scott gave: • $70 million each to the UNCF and Thurgood Marshall College Fund (both supporting HBCUs) • $63 million each to Prairie View A&M, Morgan State University, and Howard University • $70 million to the Hispanic Scholarship Fund • $50 million to the Native Forward Scholars Fund Other top categories included economic security (13 percent), regranting organizations (13 percent), environmental causes (12 percent), and efforts in health, democracy, equity and justice, and arts and culture. Unrestricted Giving, Outsized Impact What makes Scott’s approach so unusual isn’t just the size of her gifts, but the way she gives. Most of her grants are unrestricted, meaning recipients can use the funds however they see fit. Grants are largely unsolicited — organizations don’t apply — and Scott only acknowledges her giving a few times a year through blog posts. A recent study from the Center for Effective Philanthropy found that nearly 90 percent of organizations that received Scott’s grants reported improved long-term financial sustainability. The median grant size was $5 million. Personal Stories Behind the Giving In her post, Scott wrote about the people who shaped her understanding of generosity — including a local dentist who gave her free dental work during college, and a college roommate who loaned her $1,000 so she wouldn’t have to drop out. That roommate, Jeannie Tarkenton, later founded Funding U, a student lending company that offers loans to low-income students without co-signers. Scott said she was “thrilled to jump at the chance” to invest in Tarkenton’s mission, noting that this support would be an investment, not a donation. That move aligns with Scott’s growing interest in “mission-aligned ventures” — for-profit companies aimed at solving public challenges like affordable housing and access to healthcare. She announced in 2024 that she would begin funding such ventures alongside her charitable work. Quiet, But Transformational While many billionaires prefer to control how their money is used or seek public recognition, Scott’s model flips that dynamic. She lets organizations lead, often without fanfare, and rarely comments outside of her blog posts. But the results are unmistakable. In just six years, she’s pushed billions directly into the hands of schools, nonprofits, and local leaders — many of whom were long overlooked by traditional philanthropy. She doesn’t just write big checks. She’s rewriting the rules.

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The World’s Oldest Cat, Flossie, Just Turned 30 — That's roughly 136 in Human Years

Flossie, the world’s oldest living cat, turned 30 years old this week, an age that roughly equates to almost 140 in human years. Born on 29 December 1995, Flossie has defied expectations and earned a place in the Guinness Book of Records for her remarkable longevity. Despite her advanced age, she remains lively, waking early for breakfast and spending her days alternating between sleep and play. Flossie’s long life has been marked by loyalty and care from three different owners. She lived with her first owner for 10 years until his death, then spent another 14 years with his sister. After her second owner also passed away, Flossie was adopted by Victoria Green, who now cares for her in Orpington, England. Speaking to The Guardian last year, Green said Flossie still surprises her with how active she is. She even bought the cat a small ladder to help her onto the sofa—but Flossie ignored it completely and prefers to keep jumping instead. “She’s lived this long mostly thanks to luck and because her previous owners loved her,” Green said. These days, Flossie follows a special diet tailored to her age but shows no signs of slowing down. Flossie’s story has captured hearts worldwide—not just because of her record-breaking age, but because of the love and care that has followed her throughout her life.

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Memphis Zoo Celebrates Birth of Critically Endangered Orangutan

A team of specialists and experts collaborated to successfully deliver a critically endangered orangutan baby via cesarean section, Memphis Zoo announced on Saturday, December 27. In a press release, the zoo said it was “proud” to introduce Ruhana “Ru,” born earlier in December to mother Jahe. Ru was a cesarean birth, “uncommon” in orangutans, Memphis Zoo said in a press release. The zoo said a specialized team including veterinary experts, an OB-GYN, a neonatologist, and neonatal nurse practitioners supported Jahe before, during, and after the birth. “The name Ruhana means soul, spirit, or essence of life in Sanskrit and honors Ruhana Kuddus, the first female Indonesian journalist and a pioneering advocate for women’s rights. The name was chosen to reflect strength, resilience, and the legacy of powerful women,” Memphis Zoo said. “Ru and Jahe will remain behind the scenes until both are ready to explore their exhibit. We will be sure to share that with Zoo fans when the time comes.”

Rome Is Using Lasers to Clean the 1,800-Year-Old Column of Marcus Aurelius

For the first time in decades, the towering Column of Marcus Aurelius in central Rome is getting a deep clean — but instead of brushes and chisels, workers are now wielding lasers. Rising 47 meters above Piazza Colonna, just steps from the Italian prime minister’s residence, the marble column has stood since the second century C.E. It’s been cleaned before, most recently in the 1980s. But this time, conservators are trying something new: short-pulse lasers that strip away centuries of grime without damaging the delicate carvings underneath. “It was practically black when we started. It was in a really bad way,” said archaeologist Marta Baumgartner, who is leading the restoration. The lasers shoot concentrated bursts of light onto the column’s surface. That heat breaks up the dirt and pollution caked into the stone — much of it from smog — without abrasive scrubbing. Baumgartner told the Associated Press the method delivers excellent results and still shows “great respect” for the marble. The approach is similar to laser skin treatments used in medicine, according to Reuters, but scaled up for ancient stone. The Marcus Aurelius column was built between 180 and 193 C.E. to commemorate the Roman emperor’s military campaigns. Like the more famous Trajan’s Column nearby, it’s wrapped in a dramatic, spiraling frieze that climbs 23 turns up the shaft. More than 2,000 intricately carved figures depict Roman soldiers, enemy warriors, gods, and captives — including scenes of violence and tragedy. “The scenes are bloody and violent,” Baumgartner said. “You see women being grabbed by their hair as they try to save their children. They would have become slaves. They’re really dramatic images.” These carvings aren’t just for show. They’ve become valuable sources for historians studying Roman armor, battle tactics, and daily life in the legions. “It’s almost like a film or a series of photographs,” Baumgartner said. To reach the column’s upper levels, teams have surrounded the monument with scaffolding. Workers use hand-held laser devices from various angles to access tight corners and shadowed reliefs. They're also refreshing the spiral staircase inside, which leads to the top for sweeping views of Rome. Laser cleaning isn’t the only method being used. Crews are also relying on more traditional tools — including water, sponges, chemical poultices, and spatulas — to clean and stabilize the structure. They’re filling in small gaps with plaster where needed. The full restoration is expected to wrap by spring 2026 and will cost around $2.3 million. The project is being funded partly by the European Union’s post-pandemic recovery initiative. Originally, the column was crowned with a statue of Marcus Aurelius himself. But in 1589, Pope Sixtus V swapped it out for a statue of St. Paul, which still stands today. Despite the grime and damage that builds over time, the artistry remains striking. The figures near the top are carved slightly larger than those at the bottom — a visual technique meant to guide the viewer’s eyes upward, through the story. “It really drags the viewer in,” said restorer Valentin Nitu. “Seeing it phase by phase, scene by scene, with the truly wonderful details.” Now, thanks to lasers and a careful hand, that story is about to shine through more clearly than it has in decades.

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Bride Stuns Guests by Baking 13 Unique Cakes for Her Wedding

Samantha Frisby Kawall didn’t just bake her own wedding cake — she baked thirteen. The 33-year-old bride from Provo, Utah, turned her childhood love of baking into a full-blown wedding showstopper, creating a jaw-dropping spread of homemade cakes for her October 11 celebration. The results were so impressive, her wedding videographer, Taylor Nicholson, said she “leveled it up by 100.” “I have never seen anything like this at a wedding before,” Nicholson, 24, told PEOPLE. “The cake spread was absolutely the star of the show. The flavor combinations were so unique and different from anything I have ever seen.” Samantha didn’t stop at a traditional wedding cake. She made 13 different cakes — 15 if you count the tiers — each one crafted from scratch, with its own flavor profile, buttercream, and filling. Among them: raspberry white chocolate Chantilly, cinnamon roll, apple cider doughnut, salted caramel chocolate, chocolate Biscoff, and even one called “The Parent Trap,” made with chocolate and peanut butter. The centerpiece was a three-tier white cake flavored with pink Funfetti, red velvet, and Oreo — from bottom to top. And yes, she did it all herself. “I was stacking my wedding cake and finishing some piping in the middle of the reception in my dress and everything,” Samantha said. “But it’s such a good memory to have and I love sharing cake with people, especially on such a special day.” The week before the wedding, she took over her parents’ kitchen and freezer, working 10 to 12 hours a day. She baked each cake layer in advance, wrapped and froze them, and decorated everything herself. There were setbacks — a few cake failures meant she had to start over — but she kept going. “I started with my wedding cake to really give myself time to get it as perfect as I could,” she said. “None of them were perfect, per se, but I took my time with each one and wanted the decorations to be somewhat cohesive while still matching the flavors of each cake.” Her relatives pitched in by storing cakes in freezers and transporting them to the venue. Once everything was set up, guests were blown away. Nicholson recalled how people were hesitant at first to cut into the cakes — they looked more like artwork than dessert — but once the first slice was served, “guests were all over them.” “Everyone was trying to get the perfect photo,” Nicholson said. “The guests were stunned to see the full cake display… the consensus was that they tasted just as good as they looked!” The couple’s 150 guests weren’t the only ones talking about it. Samantha’s parents say neighbors and friends are still raving about the cakes — and she has plenty left in the freezer for anyone who wants more. “I cut all the leftovers up in individual slices, wrapped them up and froze them in my parents' freezer,” she said. “There's plenty more!” What started as a childhood dream ended in a personal, unforgettable moment. Samantha has since launched a custom cake side business, but says the wedding was always the heart of the plan. “We will have cake for a while,” she said, “but those memories forever.”

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11-Year-Old Lands Snowboard Magazine Cover After Sliding Down Hill on Plastic Lid

Mickey Watkins had never set foot on a snowboard. But that didn’t stop him from landing on the cover of one of the biggest snowboarding magazines in the country. It all started with a plastic bin lid. Last February, the 11-year-old was playing outside near his home when he spotted a group of snowboarders and photographers capturing shots on a snowy hill. Curious, Mickey wandered over to watch. The riders were sliding down the slope and grinding a rail — and Mickey decided to join in, with whatever he could find. He grabbed a plastic tote lid and started sliding. Photographer Mike Yoshida, in town for a professional shoot, noticed Mickey and encouraged him to try standing up on the lid. Yoshida snapped a photo between his sessions with pro riders — a single frame that would end up reshaping the magazine’s next issue. Mickey’s face was completely visible in the shot: no goggles, no expensive gear, just raw joy. It was different from the high-drama, high-performance photos the industry was used to. And it immediately stood out. Yoshida later posted the photo to Instagram. That’s where Colin Wiseman, content and brand director for The Snowboarder’s Journal, saw it. For a magazine known for its striking alpine landscapes and elite athletes, Mickey’s photo was a departure. But to Wiseman, it captured something deeper. The joy of the sport. “It wasn’t about technical skill or style points,” he said. “It was about why people fall in love with snowboarding in the first place.” So the magazine ran with it. Mickey and his plastic bin lid ended up on the cover — a decision that sparked a wave of reactions online. Readers called it one of the most meaningful covers the magazine had ever published. And it didn’t stop there. Snowboarding brands and organizations began reaching out, wanting to support Mickey’s unexpected entry into the sport. He was given a season pass to a local ski hill. Lessons were arranged. He’ll now be learning to snowboard — for real — with a full set of brand-new gear: a board, helmet, goggles, jacket, gloves, bindings, and pants. All thanks to a chance encounter, a plastic lid, and a kid who just wanted to slide down a hill.

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Shaquille O’neal Helps Texas Man Get Second Chance At Becoming Police Officer

Jordan Wilmore was ready to give up on his dream of becoming a police officer. After completing the academy, he missed the mark on Texas’s state peace officer exam. But what could have been the end of the road turned into a new beginning — thanks to a surprise appearance from one of the tallest legends in sports. NBA icon Shaquille O’Neal showed up in person to offer Wilmore something much bigger than encouragement. Wilmore, who hopes to become Texas’s tallest officer, had drawn attention for his height and ambition. After learning about Wilmore’s story on Instagram, Shaq paid a visit to the Kemah Police Department, where he announced he would sponsor Wilmore to go back through the academy and take the exam again. Standing before a crowd, Shaq spoke about the value of failure and the power of second chances. “He reminded everyone that setbacks are part of the path,” said one officer at the event, according to local coverage from KHOU 11. Shaq also shared that he failed his own state law enforcement exams before eventually becoming a certified officer in California and Florida. In addition to his law enforcement credentials, Shaq comes from a family with deep ties to policing. And he’s used his celebrity platform over the years to support others in the field. For Wilmore, the moment was overwhelming. He called the meeting “a blessing” and said he was incredibly grateful for the support. With Shaq’s backing, Wilmore plans to return to the academy in mid-January to prepare for the exam once more. Shaq, always one to deliver surprises, also hinted there could be another reward waiting once Wilmore officially earns his certification. For now, though, the focus is on giving the future officer a second shot — and a much-needed vote of confidence.

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Pilot Program Transforms Lives of Formerly Homeless Residents into New Life of Hope

Deborah Ann Badeau sits in her small apartment listening to Country 94 on the radio. The walls are covered with pictures and drawings. The unit is warm. It is quiet. It is hers. Nearly a year ago, the 61-year-old moved into the Somerset ACRES transitional housing site in Saint John after spending about six years living in a tent. Before that, she had escaped an abusive relationship she says she got out of “with my life.” Seven years ago, after being struck by a bus, she became homeless. “Then I chose to go with a tent because it was a lot freer,” she said. “I knew I was a tough little bird.” She managed through the summers. Winters were harder. When frontline workers told her she would be getting a home, she said the news changed her “whole life.” “Because I was losing all hope and was thinking about suicide,” she said. “I didn’t think there's any point.” On hearing about the housing, she began crying. “I told them, I got nothing — no clothes, no blankets.” When she arrived, she said, everything she needed was already there. “I walk in and everything is right there.” Badeau is one of more than 20 residents at Somerset ACRES, a pilot project run by non-profit Fresh Start Services. The site converted five trailers into 18 micro-units, each one essentially a small bachelor apartment with its own bathroom, kitchenette, basic furniture and storage. Some units accommodate couples. ACRES stands for Advancing Community With Respect, Empowerment and Support. Residents pay 30 percent of their income toward rent. The project’s focus is helping people move from encampments into stable housing and eventually into independent living. For Badeau, the biggest change is feeling safe and warm. “Out in the tent, I was bothered a lot,” she said. She has a mobility disability and chose tents over shelters because she felt her belongings were safer. “People would come and shake the tent because they knew I was a little bit disabled. And then one night I came home and the tent is burnt to the ground.” Melanie Vautour, executive director of Fresh Start, said the pilot is the first in Saint John built on a “housing first” approach, with most residents having experienced homelessness for at least three years. Three residents have already moved on from the site after rebuilding basic tenancy skills such as taking out garbage regularly, learning to cook again and practising good neighbour habits. “So working on a lot of those pieces so that when they move out from the support staff … they can manage maintaining an apartment themselves,” Vautour said. When Somerset ACRES opened a year ago, the site was little more than a gravel lot with trailers. Since then, staff and residents have added grass, flowers, barbeques and a fire pit area, though summer fire bans prevented its use. Residents formed a council to raise concerns, help create rules and shape how the community functions. “It was really about establishing it as a home where they had ownership and they could lead that discussion and those changes themselves,” Vautour said. The project did not arrive quietly. Early in its development, nearby residents expressed concerns about public safety. Since opening, Saint John police have logged 64 calls at Somerset ACRES. Most were non-criminal: 21 medical calls, 16 disputes and 27 well-being checks or reports about damaged or missing property. Vautour said challenges were expected, especially as people transition from life on the street. “They’re transitioning from street life,” she said, adding that residents are learning to “let that go and becoming neighbours.” Some of the calls, she noted, were initiated by residents seeking emergency help, which she sees as a positive shift. “We need to remember that asking for help is a positive thing, especially when, as stated, these calls are non-criminal in nature,” she said. Relations with the surrounding neighbourhood have improved, she added, as residents make efforts to connect locally. Still, many residents remain hesitant to speak publicly, aware of harsh comments and assumptions about homelessness. “When you're trying to make change and you're trying to move forward, it's really difficult to still see the negative comments and the negative assumptions about you,” Vautour said. “For them, there's always that fear: why do we want to talk about how good we're doing when no one's going to believe us anyway?” Somerset ACRES is part of Saint John’s Housing for All strategy and shares similarities with the city’s “green zone” transition housing sites launched this year, which also faced community resistance. Vautour said the main difference is independence. Somerset ACRES offers private units, while the green zone sites use shared kitchens and bathrooms. One of the project’s biggest challenges is finding permanent housing for residents once they are ready to move on. “But in the meantime, for us, it's really about keeping going with those goals and keep moving forward towards independent living,” Vautour said. The pilot was originally planned for two years. Provincial housing minister David Hickey has since confirmed the site will continue for at least one additional year while governments examine long-term options. Badeau hopes to be living independently within the next year. “Its only been a year, so it's pretty hard to get used to, but I'm doing a pretty darn good job, I think,” she said. “I think I'll probably be the first one out because I've had apartments before on my own. So I'm excited to get there.”

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