Andrew Siwicki’s Laugh, Reblog If You Agree

It has been hard for me to talk about how what is going on with Israel and Palestine is affecting me personally, but I grew up in Gaza and most of my family still lives there. My father did not survive the bombings last week and I have not been able to contact my younger sister in days. I am try to being understanding that most people do not have personal connections to what is happening and therefore are justifying their silence, but is heartbreaking to see this misinformation being spread. What’s happening there is a genocide, not a war. It is not antisemitic to support Palestine, it’s not even antiemetic to criticise Israel. There is no grey area or neutrality regarding this, and it is so easy to find resources that will educate you on the subject. It is my people and my home being destroyed so I will never be silent about this, but I please urge everyone to get informed and start speaking up and finding ways they can help.

decolonizepalestine has tons of information on Palestine’s history/propaganda that has been spread throughout the years

UK citizens can email their MP asking for a ceasefire

US citizens can call/email their local government officials asking for a ceasefire

Jewish Voice for Peace also has many resources for ways for US citizens to get involved, including protests

Donate to Palestine Children’s Relief Fund

Donate to Medical Aid for Palestine

Donate to help get food and hygiene kits to Gaza

5 Habits to Boost Self Confidence

Confidence is a tricky thing. Some people naturally seem to exude confidence, while others struggle to have any. And some of that is just who you are, some are naturally shy, and others are naturally loud. However, there are times when you need confidence. For example, meeting new people, giving a presentation or starting a new job. Confidence can be really useful and helps you to feel calm and assured in a situation where you might normally be panicky and flustered.

I am the first to admit I am not a confident person. It was always me that had trouble putting my hand up in class, leaving the comfort of my mum to actually go to school and talking in a group of people. I was always aware from a young age that I was shy. My Mum would introduce me to someone, I wouldn’t talk, and my Mum would say ‘oh Ash is just shy’. Which made me believe I could never be confident, because shy was my default. But shy people can learn to be confident, so Psych2Go shares with you 5 habits to boost self-confidence.

1) Assess yourself

Instead of staying in the fogginess that is lack of confidence, take stock. Forget thinking you need confidence, instead focus on what is it you want to achieve. Any time you feel a bit wobbly and sense yourself falling into ‘I’m hopeless, I can’t do it’ territory, stop and take a breath. Detach yourself from your emotions and analyse where you are, where you need to be, and what you need to learn. Keep assessing yourself. It’s important to keep everything in perspective. Before you do something that…

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It’s crazy how one text would make a difference

Open relationships seem to be becoming more popular which is cool, but this should be kept in mind:

If your partner is allowed to flirt and mess around with other people, and you’re not, you’re not in an open relationship. You’re being strung along, manipulated, and emotionally abused by someone who wants to do what they want on their terms, and control you at the same time.

Get out.

Bisan's recent post. I think it's important for you to read it. Tonight 03.12.23, journalists in gaza share their last messages. There are no words to describe the horrors unfolding in gaza right now.

I no longer have any hope of survival like I had at the beginning of this genocide, and I am certain that I will die in the next few weeks or maybe days. I have been sick with severe viral infection for days and cannot move from the mattress!

I suffer from nightmares that are so closely resemble reality that I no longer differentiate between reality and dream.

I live in a world other than the one I claimed to be building! I am a community activist who lived on the fantasy that the world was free and just, and I sought to bring rights not only to my people, but to many men and women in third world countries!

I was shocked that I was not from the third world! Indeed, we are the most humane and moral! Yes, because the world approves, supports, and finances the genocide we are being subjected to, legislates it, and gives reasons for for 58 days! While we are a people who have been living on occupied land for 75 years and are still searching for our rights and communicating our voice to the world!

My message to the world: You are not innocent of what is happening to us, you as governments or peoples that support Israel’s annihilation of my people. We will not forgive you, we will not forgive you, humanity will not forgive you, we will not forget, even if we die, the history will never forget .

A Message to friends: Thank you and the supporters around the world. You have been compassionate and very strong. We ask you not to lose hope, even if the world seems completely unfair and your efforts have not yet resulted in a ceasefire.

Life

What scares you the most?

Over 100 journalists have been killed in Gaza since October 7th.

Full face-freckles in 30 versions, for all ages and genders. Comes in 6 different placement versions (whole face, upper face half, under face half, cheek+nose, only cheeks, only nose. All of them come in 5 colors.

• DOWNLOAD - Ellen Freckles

Dating. We’re Dating. | Ruby Martinez x Reader

Word Count: 1,001

Prompt, Summary, Request: Hey can you please write more about on my block ? Cesar or Ruby, there’s literally no fics about them and it’s killing me :/ thanks 🙏🏼 Warnings: none Author’s Note: I hope you enjoy this! I have a Cesar fic I’m working on right now. Thank you for your request :) 

“Are you sure it’s okay that I stay over? I don’t want to be a trouble for your mother or abuelita or the twins or your-“Your worrying was quickly cut off by Ruby’s finger being placed on your lips to shush you.  

“Princesa, my family loves you. Stop worrying,” he smiled, putting a reassuring hand on your shoulder and rubbing it gently.

You smiled at his comment and leaned in to peck his lips quickly. Ruby blushed wildly at your gesture and leaned in towards you to kiss you slowly but he was quickly interrupted. Both of your heads snapped towards the door to see his mother leaning against the door frame.

“Time for bed, lovebirds,” she smiled, causing both Ruby’s and your face to turn a bright shade of pink.

“Goodnight,” Ruby muttered before quickly shoving his mother out of the room and closing the door.

A small smile crept onto his lips as he watched you try to stifle a laugh. The two of you began to get ready for bed. Once you were ready, Ruby turned off the lights and crawled into bed. You quickly followed his actions and awkwardly laid down next to him.

For a few minutes, you both laid side by side, not daring to even touch each other. Slowly, you felt Ruby put his arm under your neck and draped it over your shoulders. Your heart was racing, and your pretty sure Ruby’s was as well. You smiled and rolled over, so your head was resting on his chest. You listened to Ruby’s heart rate slowly fell back into its normal pattern.

You felt slender fingertips brush through your hair gently before Ruby muttered, “Goodnight, my princesa.”

The next morning, the two of you didn’t wake until an interruption. While you were sleeping, your head resting on his chest and his arm cradling the back of your neck, Monse and Jamaal were making their way to Ruby’s house.

“Have you talked to Y/N in the past day?” Monse asked as they walked into the garden of Ruby’s house.

“I texted her but she didn’t reply. What about you?” Jamaal asked as he purposely tried to trip up the steps of his porch.

“I tried calling but she didn’t pick up,” Monse rolled her eyes as Jamaal picked himself up from the ground.

The two friends knocked on the front door. One of the twins swung the door open, holding a barbie doll’s head in their fist. Jamaal raised his eyebrow before stepping inside.

“Where’s Ruby?” He asked the small child, patting his head.

“They’re in his room,” he stated before running away.

Monse and Jamaal shared a questioning look before Monse said, “They?”

Jamaal shrugged, assuming that the toddler just didn’t know how to use the correct pronouns yet. They made their way to Ruby’s bedroom. Jamaal turned the cold doorknob and swung the door open, making it hit the wall. The sudden noise awoke the couple that were lying happily in the bed. As Ruby and you suddenly sat up, startled by the noise, you both hit your heads together. Ruby shared a look of confusion with you while you were rubbing your temple.

“Oh my god,” Jamaal screamed, causing Ruby to squeal and snap his head towards the doorway where Monse and Jamaal stood.

“You and her? Him and you?” Monse exclaimed, wagging her finger between the two of you.

Ruby sensed you tense up beside him. You had always been worried about the reaction the gang would have and you would have definitely chosen a different way to announce the relationship. Ruby’s hand inched towards yours, that was hidden under the blankets. His fingers laced with yours and you shot him a weak smile.

“Yes, me and her,” Ruby sighed, scratching the back of his head with his free hand.

“Hey, guys- Woah! What’s going on in here,” Cesar said as he entered Ruby’s bedroom.

“They-They’re, they are um- “Jamaal stumbled on his words, still astounded at his new discovery.

“Dating, we’re dating,” Ruby spoke up, rubbing his thumb over the back of your hand.  

“How long?” Monse asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Three months,” Ruby stated.

The group erupted into a loud scream. All three of them flailing their arms about, yelling at their two friends that have kept a secret for such a long time. You sharply inhaled, squeezing your eyes shut. Ruby squeezed your hand, causing you to look at him and he kissed your forehead gently. The group of friends yelling abruptly stopped as they witnessed the gesture.

“Damn, you guys really like each other,” Monse said, a small smile playing on her lips.

“Yeah, we do,” Ruby smiled, not breaking his eye contact with you.

“I’m going to throw up,” Jamaal stated, holding his stomach.

“Least you have another excuse to get out of football,” You joked, causing an eruption of laughter.

“Anyways, I’m happy for you guys. I was just joining in on the trend of yelling,” Cesar said, giving a lopsided smirk.

“Oh, sure you were,” Ruby said, rolling his eyes.

“Okay, enough. You two get out of bed because we’re going to be late,” Monse ordered.

“Okay, okay,” Ruby said, letting go of your hand and climbing out of bed.

You quickly followed him out of the room. Just as you were about to enter the bathroom, Ruby pulled you aside in the hallway.

“Is everything okay?” He questioned, not breaking the loving gaze the two of you had.

“Yes, because I can finally kiss you in public,” you smirked.

Ruby smiled back and quickly closed the gap between you. Your arms found their way to his neck, pulling him closer towards you. Ruby’s grip tightened around your waist, deepening the kiss.

“Okay, now I really am going to throw up,” Jamaal stated, causing you to laugh into the kiss.

Ruby hesitantly pulled away from you, “We should probably get ready.”