Karima Hoisan is my avatar. I am Karima Hoisan in the virtual world.
Sentimental and nostalgic, I look back on the eve of my virtual birthday
on what it means to be an avatar in 2020.
For me this was never a game..I took it seriously from the first moment I fell from the virtual sky and landed on an island that would become my own..because “Destiny Is.”
December 26, 2007.
I will be 13 years old this Saturday! We celebrate this moment called a “Rez Day”, as it marks the first time, an avatar named Karima Hoisan was born , entered and became part of Second life. I took my first virtual breath as a digital newborn in the body of a newly chosen avatar.
My first days were friendless, clueless but amazed 😱
I have lived and learned to navigate the virtual world
and now I am considered an oldie…a veteran.
In this last year I have felt its comfort, where I can take everything
that is inside of me, that makes me, me and put it in a virtual body that is still healthy.,
in a world that is still healthy and functioning normally.
My avatar 2008…beginning to adjust, navigate,
decorate and make friends…
I am soul infused.
In a world where people circulate without masks and there is no pandemic going on, but there is comfort for those who have lost someone, or are sick, there are people to reach out to and they can touch you.
The more you navigate the world, the more feelings you can feel..you can even trick your body to perceive what you should not be able to perceive: the smells of crisp fresh air of a pine forest breeze, or the ocean roaring in at your feet.
I am a soul-infused avatar
everything you know and feel about me, through my poetry, you can feel when
my avatar speaks to you…
I can dance and run through the fields, and in sheer exuberance,
take off and fly over the tree tops..This now seems natural to me..
and my heart fills with joy.. and this joy fills me with peace and inspiration.
I can dance boleros, create, amazing projects with others and laugh in crowds
yet feel safe, even when someone sneezes.
I am paranoia free in my virtual world, when if stressed, I can float and bob in the waves and hear the sounds and feel the water holding me. 
A floating Welcome-back for Nat
I am not watching a cartoon figure navigate a video game, I am that creature..the avatar and I see everything in this world through my eyes… The borders of my 15 inch screen have disappeared and like the looking glass I pass inside;
I see, just like in real life. I can appear real or surreal..it makes no difference, I am still inside.
Floating With Dale, brainstorming a project
I have loved and lost and cried real tears and felt real pain,
but I have learned to bounce back and learn to live it again.
I have made films, read my poetry to thousands of people over the years, created music, and become a 3D artist and sculptor.
Giving Poetry Readings to 25-40 people from all over the world in all different venues:
The swamps of New Toulouse Louisiana or Historic Clubs like The Chelsea in NYC
I inherited 2 Pisces sisters along the way, one from The Midwest USA and one from South Africa and another sister from.London for almost 13 years.
I watch videos every night for 11 years at the same time with a friend and Buddy in Florida:) I create worlds with my best scripter friend Dale Innis in New York. and none of those things would be possible living in my small Latin American town, that is mostly locked down again for the great spike in Covid cases
“Mad Men” in Virtual with Menubar! Can you see us sitting in our little highchairs?
Brainstorming with Dale Innis
I have friends who smile and interact with me from all the continents.
I can take in a live show of music where the musicians might be playing in different countries and yet we hear them in harmony and sync real time and we can ask for a favorite song and they will play it with our dedication!!:)
I have been a horse, a vampire, a tiny snow leopard and anything I can imagine, I can be for awhile…The possibilities are limitless..If you can imagine it..you can create it You can be it!
At the Opera with my hedgehog friend:)
Now… in 2020 I realize how very important the virtual world can be.
because in this last year, life droned on out of pitch and out of time…
and instead of doing lunch, meeting up for coffee and holding and shaking hands..
we stayed at home and ran away from each other;
we kept our distances, we covered our faces ,we washed-our hands and
lost our sense of human touch.
A hug is a hug in any world
As an avatar, a hand on my shoulder is not an idle gesture
It is a connection and I feel it and feel very lucky to be so alive virtually.
In a time of not very many, I am still making memories, and the brain processes a virtual experience in the same way as a real one. How many chats can you remember? How many zoom calls will you recall? Ah but to dance on the sand and hear the pounding of the waves..to laugh with your sisters until you cry..those memories will stay forever and….
You can take pictures!!
Gamma & Shesa at Kari’s Bar & Dance Circa 1920’s
Natascha Randt & Karima Hoisan- Randt & Hoisan Productions
So free to be me, when in my virtual day, while outside, I am shuttered in my home, watching like a skeptical spectator all the kings horses and all of his men,
trying to reassemble Humpty Dumpty again and bring that human longing for connection, that human need for touch and laughter and purpose, back to us in our real lives.
I am so grateful for these last 13 years of a virtual life, that I have lived fully
and parallel to my real life!!!
Happy Rez Day to me December 26, 2020!! I’m all grown up:)
Digital Rabbit Hole 
Happy Rez Day 🥳
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Awwww thank you David!!:):) I’m a teenager now:)
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so do you have virtual acne?
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Haha I am sure I could find some “acne skin” if I searched a bit:):) but probably, won’t:):)
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yeah most teenagers wouldn’t.
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Happy Rez Day, Karima! What an amazing post, thank you for sharing. Beautiful. ❤️🙏
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Aww thank you so much Jeff. I wasn’t really sure if people would be interested, but because of what we all have lived through in 2020, I thought there might have some interest in this subject..and as you see, I am a veteran:) and just speak from my experiences…that I would say have been overwhelmingly more positive than negative! 🙏🌺🤗❤️
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You’re very welcome, Karima. Is all my pleasure. I am super glad you shared your experience with us.❤️🙏😊
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Coming from you Jeff, that really means a lot!! Thank you again..Have a beautiful Christmas Eve…and a Happy New Year!
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A thoughtful and touching retrospective! Happy Rez Day; you certainly did grow up well. 🙂
Your thoughts on the virtual world and the pandemic are so very true. I do wonder why we haven’t had tens, hundreds, of thousands of new people coming into the virtual worlds for safe refuge. For some reason they haven’t, but I’m grateful to be one that is already here, and to have this way of connecting with souls near and far, without worrying about droplets.
And it’s been and continues to be an honor and pleasure to have worked (and played and been silly!) with you for so many of these years. Here’s to many more!
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Thank you Dale.. your creative collaborations and your friendship have been a high point over almost 9 of these years!! Wow! Thank you for all your support in and out of the virtual realm. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! 🌲✨ You are my favorite scripting Genius!!
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Happy Rezday, Karima!
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Why thank you mayor! I haven’t seen you around much:) Merry Christmas Henri!!
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Happy Rez day to the person who introduced me to Second Life. Little did I know what a fateful day that was! Thank you, Karima for all the magic you brought to my real life as your former RL neighbor and for the additional magic you gave me in Second Life. I am so grateful that you are in both of my lives!
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Awww Amiata, you are very welcome:) Wonderful to hear your words as someone who knows me well in both lives:) I agree that Second Life can supply us with that extra magic to complement our real lives. Big Hugs in both worlds.. my sweet friend Amiata.. You are very special to me…❤️🤗🌺
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You forgot to mention we can play games together also! Looking forward to some “Greedy” and “Uno” action during my Xmas vacation! You’re my best friend in both the virtual and real worlds, Buddeh. Happy Rez Day and Merry Xmas!
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Ahhh Menubar..what would life be without our nightly movies synced to a T?
Yes.. we are going to play some mean Greedy and Uno…I will invite some die-hard players to join us haha.. Love you Buddeh..only you!!
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Here (in the big D or G) it is not common to congratulate, before the day.
We believe it brings bad luck:)
But we experience Strange Days and so I think: Why Not?
We know each other and work together, I think 9 years now.
Vut Its much much more that we share, than only work together.
It is not describable, its a gem.
Here’s to many more Rez Days.
Happy Rez Day Karima!
Love you.
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Thank you Nat, luckily that belief does not extend to us in Costa Rica..but we have another thousand or so that do hehe:) Yes 9 years of the most amazing friendship and creative relationship..I am so grateful for our meeting ….and look what we have done!! So many videos we can claim as ours, so many years of genuine friendship and mutual respect!.. I agree with you..impossible to define and yet..we have a collection of memories and videos that say it maybe better,..You said it very well…”it IS a gem”
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What a beautiful, touching and thought perspective into the virtual world of your avatar habeebity , I so loved it.❤️ It’s lovely to know Karima Hoisan as an avatar which is so deep and profound and where she finds peace of her mind.
Thanks for sharing UmJulian, a wonderful sneak peek into your wonderland. 💕❤️🤗🤗🤗🥰
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**thoughtful
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Ohh me too..what a blessing to meet you this year. UmAnzar!! ❤️ A year so hard for everyone, but you and other wonderful souls I have met on WordPress made a real difference. Big hugs and much love to you and keep writing and sharing your beautiful thoughts:):)🤗🤗🤗❤️❤️❤️
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It indeed was a hard year but some people really help you think positive imparting their wisdom through their writings. And I feel so happy to be connected to them through WordPress,one of them being you. JazakAllah khair habeebity love and hugs back to you🥰🥰❤️❤️❤️🤗🤗🤗
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Awww habeebity thank you:) 🤗 Yes, I felt it was time to share part of my life, that has also influenced my poetry over all these last 13 years.. I am still very creatively active, even in these days of lockdown and somber days..This to me, helps me stay positive and mentally healthy. I would love to turn you on to a great short YouTube about an 86 year old lady with Parkinson’s who was so active in Second Life. It really is amazing and maybe says it better than I did:) Tell me what your impressions were after:) https://youtu.be/nyiiWxNguGo Big hugs and thank you for being you!! Your sensitive, interested soul:) My friend UmAnzar…I am always happy to share with you:) ❤️❤️🤗🤗
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Always my pleasure dearest habeebity ❤️❤️❤️ You did the right thing to share it, it indeed was the time. And thank you for letting me know that avatar do exist, it’s a new thing for me, to create a beautiful world of our own on our own terms without nagging from anyone. It’s just you and your world😊🥰 I watched the video, so beautiful, so positive and so inspirational. I am so happy 2020 get me connected with you😊 UmJulian ❤️🥰❤️🤗🤗
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Hi my dear! Happy Rez Day.. Wow..I was not even aware such a life existed… Thank you for educating us about this… And sharing how connected you are to it. Especially during this year, it would surely have helped you felt more safe and connected to the world even through all the restrictions which were in place for most of the year. Stay safe my dear and Merry Christmas again 🤗🎄❤️💐🤗
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Aww Merry Christmas to you and your loving soul…Thank you dear Diana, for being interested in my virtual other life:) It has been a continuing inspiration for my poetry and other projects all through this year of barely leaving my house:) You stay safe and enjoy the holidays with your loved ones. One good thing 2020 brought me…was meeting you and your beautiful thoughts and verse:) I am grateful!! Hugs and love and best wishes ❤️🤗🙏🌺🌲
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. One good thing 2020 brought me…was meeting you and your beautiful thoughts and verse:) I am grateful!! Hugs and love and best wishes ❤️🤗🙏🌺🌲
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Ahhhh! Your description of Second Life is so wonderful and enchanting! If Linden Labs saw your post they would use it as an ad. And there could be no better promotion then yours.
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Thank you Hoyt, my partner through muchos años of our virtual experience.. Glad I met you right from the beginning of my virtual journey…and here we are today still connected through poetry:):) How wonderful is that?
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Oh, the nostalgia of it all! I always “feel you”, yet am reminded of meeting you and KNOWING you as a kindred ‘soul’ instantly, a real live (and lively *coughs*) SPIRIT!! I am truly so grateful that you came to SL and that our lives entwined – you introduced me to REAL FUN (lol), while simultaneously always giving of your true self. As you celebrate your teenie-bopper stage in SL, I celebrate the eternal gift of you sharing so much of yourself and your life… with me ((hugs)). Though part of me wonders why I never made you pinkie swear not to reveal some of our escapades (hahahaha… volcanoes, horsey poo gifts on wicked stoops, mermaids, LOL). Loves you to the moon and back, my Adored Sissy-Poo, always and forever.
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Awwww Sissy Diz..hehe hope you didn’t feel “pressured” (snaps her whip) to make this fantastic comment..because it is and I love it..made me smile and laugh all the way through, remembering our crazy Pisces sissy – escapades and how we laughed!! But also I remember your wisdom, part “street smarts” part deep thinker and lessons you learned… You were the one I always went to for advice and actually took it:):) You had a wisdom I never found in anyone else.. It’s been a while since I asked, but I know if I ever need it…you will always be there to give it inshallah! Yes we are all teenie boppers now and even though Real life has put a drift in our time together..we will always be connected by who we are, all what we have lived and shared. I adore you Diz..now and for all times always.. Forever and ever…
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Happy Rez Day Karima. You have shown me how to live more authentically in virtual life than outside. I agree with your depiction of online life. The time we have shared has been more real than many of the same air time we are now missing. Why this myth of isolation persists amazes me. It is quite opposite, not because we sit behind a screen, but because I would never have had the honor of knowing you without it I would be much more likely so have set quietly by myself, alone and unable to create in a vacuum. Thank you for the inspirations that were expressed because of your friendship.
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Ohh RoseDrop so happy to read your response and receive your Rez Day greetings! How many times have we discussed the larger world, the inner world, under water, in an Arabic salon, outside under the trees.. dancing at my Blues Club,anywhere we could? I have had some of the most significant talks with you than I have had with almost anyone..You inspired me before I barely met you; your talent is big but so is your humility.:) and after admiring you for your ;poetry, and your musical prowess, we actually became friends, the first time, you came to hear me at my reading and (very unexpectedly_ I broke down in mid poem in a gush of tears and afterwards you IM’d me and said..It was ok..that it was even more powerful for you. I will never forget that kindness and all the times, we found ourselves on the same set and could share and enjoy each other’s company. You are still my idol. even though you are my friend, and yes only Second Life, could have brought us together! I am eternally grateful that it did:) ❤️❤️❤️
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What a wonderful post. People often write about how the virtual world is unreal, addictive. Your post, so easily explains how it is also a place for self expression. Very informative and well written
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Thank you so much parneetsachdev, for taking the time to leave your thoughtful comment. Unfortunately, Second Life, from the beginning, had bad press, I would say sensational press, looking for the negative, the grotesque, the perverted that can be found in this world, which can also be found in the real world. Just like in real life, one chooses the life that is interesting for them..Some create and build, because the entire world, is built by the people who reside there. Some like the music scene, or the poetry, or drama scene, or to learn to make screen capture videos, called machinimas. I have a category in my blog of over 26 that I have made. Some will try to cheat and break hearts, while others try to nurture and help. Just like the real world, you learn to avoid what does not appeal to you. I will share a short video that focuses on one of the very positive parts of being an avatar, an 86 year old woman who says, “she found the fountain of youth” It’s very inspiring and focuses on some of the wonderful things being in a virtual world can do. I hope you enjoy it. https://youtu.be/nyiiWxNguGo I am so glad you enjoyed my post:)
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Thank you. I saw your video. I was amazed how the elder lady lived a new life. Hope your blog continues to prosper
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Oh yes, I had the privilege of knowing Fran, *she passed away in 2019, but she was so inspirational for many. Projects like this, are rarely talked about, and there are many. Thank you for your good wishes about my blog, and I wish you the same!
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With so many avatars, and so much to see and do, its hard to leave a mark on SL. You have left that mark. You have given so much to so many. Your poetry has touched so many us all thru the years. Your friendship nurtured many (me) to discover, not just a virtual world, but a beautiful world. That beauty isnt found in SL upon arrival, its brought from outside. One must see, as you see, then its unavoidable. You brought a truck load and left it behind for us all. Im happy I was a part of your life here. I wont forget any of it. Rock on girl, rock on.
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Oh Mojo!! Thank you so much for your beautiful words ❤️ You were one of my favorite avatars that I was lucky enough to meet early and learn what forming a friendship in Second Life was all about! Ahh after galloping the hills of Costa Rican Sims, you came to visit my Club on the docks as a pirate and showed me the great fun of being one too..Sailing . battling on the seas..haha It was an experience I never will forget. We did a mixed show together too, my poetry, your Kabuki Theater, and danced to you being a bard musician in the parks.. so many inventive and wonderful things I was lucky enough to do with you..Thank you for letting my poetry touch you, thank you for letting me cry on your shoulder at times, and thank you for your wonderful, sincere and beautiful friendship, that is almost impossible to find in any world!
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Happy Holidays.<3
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That was a fascinating read… we are all roaming around in our assumed avatars, but yours is so unique. Loved the whole evolution, and pictures. And the relevance of it all in the current times.👏👏🙌🍀🍀
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I am really glad you enjoyed it Sundaram..I wanted to give my friends and readers a little insight into my “other life” which has very much influenced this one:) and of course my writing, my creating of virtual worlds.. On another grid, not Second Life, I am working now on World #20!! All can be accessed at any time and visited and enjoyed. I will make a post soon, about the one I am working on, called “The Wizard” It is full of “magical experiences” and I hope a lot of fun for those who visit:) Yes not only did I evolve as an avatar, Second Life in the last 13 years evolved as a platform…bringing us much better graphics and more real looking ambiance, avatars, etc. One thing I did not mention, is everything you see in SL has been created by its residents..It was never “just there” it came about as people learned to build it. I am happy you could relate to my experience in our times at the moment…as I say below one picture, ” A hug is a hug in any world…and I love hugs:)
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I am so looking forward to it, Karima..🖖🤘… sounds awesome… keep soaring my friend…🙏🙌🙏
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Dear Sundaram….How are you? Please let me know karima_alma123@yahoo.com
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Hey Karima. I am fine. Been a difficult time, last few months. Thanks for asking. And so sorry for the delay. Will write an email. Be blessed. Take care.
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Hello old friend…so good to hear from you…I will look forward to reading your email. ❤️
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The feeling is mutual Karima. Which one you use the most. Yahoo or gmail?
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Maybe yahoo is better🙏
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Sure.
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Loving this all. This year shows that there is a lot a value to a digital world. It can really work alongside of the physical world, and both have a reality to them. This will stick with me, brilliantly put: ” A hug is a hug in any world”.
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You made me smile big Benjamin..Hello and nice to see you again! Yes especially in this last year, I count myself lucky to already navigating in the virtual…It has helped me so much to not feel lonely and separated from the world. It has been always a source of my own creativity and in this time, it has been a lifesaver in that area. In another ccomment I recommended, a fascinating short on an 86 year old woman, who says Second Life for her, is her own fountain of youth.. I hope you will watch it! and thank you for your welcome comment on my avatar:) https://youtu.be/nyiiWxNguGo
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That’s so true. I’m glad it helped you work through this year. There is a lot of merit to this virtual-ness. We can connect with people from all places that we might never have been able to before. It’s a blessing in many ways. And this video you shared made me see it all in a even different light. That’s really something special. Thanks for this! Hope you’re doing well!
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Thank you! I am doing well and grateful to still be able to say that too. Our WordPress coffee shop “meet-ups” is another example of virtual friendship (just we have to bring our own coffee) hehe. Thank you my friend..so glad you enjoyed Fran Seranade’s story..I knew her and gave a reading a few years back on the Parkinson’s sim. I only hope I am still that vibrant at 86!! She is a role model now:)
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it is clearly a good journey you have traveled, karima… each experience, both good and not so, adding to a new transcendence of personal awareness and a new wisdom… our creative projects seem to come from nothing but a series of what-if questions passing through our imaginations and then tossed to the imaginations of those we encounter on the grid… even in our idle moments alone, there is a rich immersion in an experience that is only possible in a world consisting of little more than ones and zeros and our mind… there might have been something special about december 2007 that brought you to second life, i guess… it was in that month that i also discovered second life, sent to the grid to show up for a virtual meeting that i never actually found… because i got distracted and lost my way… but that turned out to be a good thing… best wishes on your rez day and for the coming new year…
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Wow Kurk what a thoughtful and very cool comment..thank you!! Thank you for saying that I have done all right on my journey too…well as have you. I think by this stage, the teen stage, I have found a wonderful group of creative people to call my friends..I know you have too..soo nice joining forces on a project together:) Your first time, made me laugh:( It wasn’t about the meeting I guess…just abour Second Life.. Thank you again for your support!!
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Lovely post, Karima!
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Ohh thank you Dawn..Just think in 2022 I will be 15 years old as a virtual being…I have seen and learned a lot in that time!:) Someone once said, “Second Life is the prep-school of the after life” Yes…I can see that too:)
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