#eid haul

[s-4pphics]

mourn. intro. (e.w.)

INTRO. 

WORD COUNT: 4.1k

WARNINGS: streetracer!ellie, dealer!oc, backstory lemme cook, parental death, mentions of overdoses, funeral, baby ellie :), oc intro… cackles evilly

A/N: last post til eid lol 

pay zakat. feed a family this ramadan. k!ll zios.

SEPTEMBER, 2009

ANGUISH floods Ellie’s chest as she witnesses decorative rosewood being lowered into the sopping dirt. It’s cinematic; watching herself from a bird’s eye view, floating above her own body. Her brain cranks at an alarming rate. Churning in attempts to convince her that she’s not actually here, staring dead at her mother’s casket. The grass sludges beneath her shoes with every unsteady shuffle of her feet. 

There aren't many people around. Three of her mother’s former work friends, a service dog, and the officiant. They’re hardly acknowledging Ellie; no one would be able to stop her from leaping head-first into the ground due to the lowering clouds. Buried and suffocated by grass and mud, a feast for the maggots, but loved eternally. Every cell in Ellie’s body thrums with anxiety. Just when she trusted that her mother’s health was improving, she woke up, shrouded in ice next to a limp body and an empty pill bottle on the nightstand. The same ones her mother took to sleep throughout the night. 

That was three weeks ago. She doesn’t remember calling 911. 

Her best friend — her only friend is gone. And it’s permanent. This isn’t like how her mother used to scavenge the streets until dawn searching for another job before Ellie woke up. She’s not coming back to crawl into their shared, warm bed, sleep for half an hour, then help her get ready for school. No more oatmeal in the mornings. No laughter. No joy. No symmetry. Ellie’s life is forever scattered. Beaten to death until she’s leaking venomous, black blood.

There’s a man that keeps staring at her with pity: familiarity crushes her every time they lock eyes. She kind of remembers him. Somewhat. She almost forgot her shoes before coming here. He seems more upset than her. At least externally; Ellie’s rotting from the inside. 

Her mother’s chamber is completely submerged underneath dirt within the next few hours. The man from earlier is much closer now. 

She jumps when he whispers, 

I owed your mom a favor. 

OCTOBER, 2009

Ellie hates Joel. Hates her mother for leaving her with him. Hates herself for not being able to save her from the claws of addiction. 

Joel’s home is always silent during the day. He gave Ellie the grace of letting her stay home until the Spring, but it’s too quiet. Music never plays and they never talk, and it’s driving her to madness. The silence makes her itch. 

Until the sun sets. 

She already has trouble sleeping. Her insomnia combined with the thunderous clanking that blares from the garage every night is enough to get her sobbing into her pillow until the sun rises the next morning. One night, the noise had gotten so uncontrollably loud that Ellie barged into the garage to shout every curse she recalled her mom screaming into the phone before bedtime.

She didn't expect, however, to see Joel’s legs extended out from underneath her mom’s wrecked ‘57 Chevrolet. Ellie could hear him grunting as cranking and banging of metal took over the space. 

… What are you doing? 

Joel rolls out from beneath the car on a creeper, face confused and smeared with dark sludge. 

Why’re you up? 

It’s loud. She snaps. Why is her car here. 

Joel sighs. Just trying to fix it up. 

For what. Ellie eyes the cracked windshield. She somehow remembers how a rock hit it on the freeway when she was six. Her mom was livid. She can’t drive it anymore. 

Joel’s face twists uncomfortably. It’s almost comical; the seemingly boiling child stands at a whopping four-foot-three with her fists clenched, burning holes through her bright yellow Spongebob pjs. Her glare sharpens when he mumbles, 

Kid… 

So you stole her freaking car? Her eyes swelter, brows hauled downward and hands in fists. He sits up straight, palms up in surrender, wrench in hand. How’d he even get back into their old house?

No, I — He rushes, She asked me to try n’ get it started again. That’s all. I… I shoulda asked you —

Ellie’s not sure why she’s so enraged, but she’s hollering with a pointed index in his direction, berating him, degrading him with sobbed vulgarities. Pushes him hard when he rises to comfort her. Eyes him with so much disdain that he flinches. 

She hates him. She misses her mom. 

The guest room door slammed shut with the click of a lock. She screamed for her mother for hours. Voice shrieking so loud that the neighbors came knocking after the first fifteen minutes. Cops pounded on Joel’s door and proceeded to conduct a wellness check on the household after an hour. 

Their presence made Ellie swallow her scorn. Ellie’s already received a small taste of what it’s like to be in the system. She vowed to never reenter as if her life depended on it. 

NOVEMBER, 2009

Joel made Ellie chocolate chip pancakes for her birthday. 

Breakfast is silent, per usual. Light clinks of utensils on silverware and breathing are the only proof of life in the room. Ellie refuses to touch the squared slices of pineapple. It was her mother’s favorite, despite her complaints of an itchy mouth after every juicy piece. 

Your mom and I… 

Ellie pauses, skeptic eyes connecting with Joel’s. He’s treading light, she can tell. The nerves in his fingers are evident; The sorrow in his eyes suffocates her. Joel’s gaze drops onto his plate at the scrutiny he receives from across the table. 

She’s a good friend of mine, He mutters before his lips turn downward. Was. 

Ellie snorts humorlessly, Way to rub it in. 

Joel’s eyes flutter shut as he sighs, I’m… Sorr—

Were you the one she told? Her tone is sharp. Unforgiving. I heard her on the phone a few days before she did it. 

A storm flurries in the man’s gaze. A familiar one; It’s identical to when she would catch her mother in the middle of night talking to herself with a bottle in her hand. The winds in his pupils take her back to one of the darkest times of Ellie’s life. Maybe they were closer than she assumed. They look identical when they’re guilty. 

I didn’t—

But he did. He’ll never forget being on the other line with Ellie’s mother as she attempted to keep her cries to a minimum. Her croaked wails terrified him. Left wounds in his chest as his heart raced. I can’t do this to her, She’d said, I can’t, I can’t, I can’t! … Please… You owe me…

Joel did what he could over the phone. Made promises to her that he couldn’t keep, reaffirmed how much Ellie loved her. How badly she needed her mother, and eventually eased her sobs into pained whimpers. He believed the calmness she exuded prior to ending the call was a sign of understanding of her importance, but it wasn’t. Her mind and body merely accepted her fate. She was dead two mornings after. 

And Ellie was a witness to it all. 

Ellie’s eyes roll and sickness floods her, so she stands, You’re a liar. When you’re ready to tell the truth… You know where I am. She doesn’t bother to push her chair in, clean her dishes, pause at his calls of her name. Her feet stomp through the hallway, marrow searing beneath her skin. The guest room door slams shut and she breaks, guarded by the plainness of the beige walls while tears flow. 

She knows he knew. Why else would her mother leave her with him? 

-

-

- 

When Ellie got up to use the restroom hours later, she nearly tripped over a teddy bear holding a birthday cake. With candles. She’s never received a gift before. 

She doesn’t tell him that she slept for an hour with it hugged to her chest. 

The noises in the garage halt for a week. Ellie still can’t fall asleep. Joel has the same problem, she’s discovered. She finds him sprawled out on the couch one night, burning holes through the roof with a picture frame in his arms. She watches him silently for some time, perched behind the main wall of the hallway. 

Hey. 

Joel’s acknowledgement earns a gasp followed by scuffling, and he snorts. He sits up and sets the dusty frame on the cushion in front of him, noting how awful Ellie is at hiding; It makes him smile. Barely, but he’s endeared; Her entire arm was exposed. He can even see her duck-shaped slippers from where she’s tucked behind the wall. 

Ellie. 

She doesn’t come out, and he sighs. His heart twists painfully when he hears a wet sniffle. He’s up and moving when a guttural sob echoes from the hallway, crouching down in front of Ellie with her knees squeezed into her heaving chest. Joel’s heart cracks at her flushed cheeks drenched in salt. Talking won’t calm her, he knows it, but he’s unsure of what else to do. Ellie… isn’t an emotional kid, but he hushes her, attempts to cradle, apologizes softly. 

But when her wet eyes pinch open, she unravels and falls into him completely. Her arms squeeze around his neck in a deadly grip and she cries and coughs and whines for her mother. Joel holds her just as tightly as she hangs off him. 

We're gonna be fine, sweetheart. He mumbles, and he feels her head shake in denial, tucked in the crook of his neck. His knees wobble, and a soothing hand rises to caress the back of her head; He's never seen a kid this hopeless. It makes him wonder. 

What the hell did she witness in that house? 

Ellie’s always struggled to fall asleep alone. 

Her need to be coddled to dreamland was always a mystery to her mother. Skin-to-skin was a normal trait for infants, toddlers, maybe even a little over, but at age ten? Eleven, and unable to fall asleep without the feeling or knowledge of a loved one present? There was only one time where she recalled her mother carrying her to her own room to rest, but the second the door clicked shut, she was up. Awake. Alert and exposed to harm. Or, at least that’s what she convinced herself. 

She crawled into her mother’s bed minutes later and snoozed throughout the entire night. She didn’t hear the end of it when the sun rose. 

Joel doesn’t berate her, though. 

I can’t sleep by myself, she’d said to him after she calmed from her breakdown in the living room. They’d sat on the couch as he rubbed a comforting palm down her back, her small ones coming up to wipe her wet cheeks. 

How come? 

She scoffed, Scared of the dark, I guess? I dunno. I just can’t. 

Joel hummed in understanding. 

I’m like that, too. Sometimes. 

Ellie snickered wetly, You’re old, though. It’s not the same. 

Joel scoffed and snatched his hand away in mocked hurt. I’m not old! 

The gray hairs say otherwise! 

That night was the first time they ever laughed together. The first time Ellie laughed since her mother’s death, and it carried on until she knocked out beside him on the couch. 

For Joel, though, he couldn’t rest. Not when Ellie favored his daughter that much. Whenever he feels as though he’s progressing, letting go of grief, something life changing — disastrous — forces him right back to square one. Meeting Ellie was one of those moments. He tried to keep his weeping to a minimum as he held her sleeping form, eyes glued to the picture of him hugging his baby after her first soccer win. 

DECEMBER, 2009

It’s New Year’s Eve, and Ellie’s trapped inside the garage with Joel. 

Watching him tweak her mother’s vehicle has aided her raging boredom… To a certain degree. When he starts getting nerdy and raving about car parts, she tunes him out, despite the slight interest she’s taken with underneath the hood. 

The connecting wires, the bolts, the valves and cranks and this manual makes absolutely zero sense—

Can you stop dillydallyin’ around n’ hand me that? 

Ellie’s gobsmacked reading is paused when she passes Joel the manual, dark sludge-covered hands staining the fading paper. She cringes. 

Ellie watches silently as Joel inspects the contents, nodding to himself as his eyes flicker from the vehicle to the booklet, mapping out his next moves of attack. His eyes sparkle and curiosity sparks in her. 

Did you fix it? 

Joel only murmurs to himself, and Ellie’s eyes roll. She inches closer to him and waves a hand in front of his eyes. Hellooo? Is it gonna start? 

… I think so, kid. His head shakes in disbelief, If I can get that transmission replaced, it might be alright. 

Ellie’s brows furrow… What on earth is a transmission? 

I’ve been workin’ on cars for a while. I can tell you now that finding such an essential part for a model this old is gonna be tough. Might cost me an arm n’ leg. 

Ellie shrugs, You’ll figure it out, old man. 

He stares down at her blankly, Gee, thanks. Hand me that wrench, assistant. 

Ellie mocks glee on her skip to the rolling cart, Gosh golly dang, does this mean I’m hired? 

He jokingly snatches the tool from her extended hand. Little bugger. And just like that, you’re not gettin’ paid. How’s it feel to be outta funds? 

WAAAAAAA—

Ellie’s fake wails earn her a deep holler. 

Ellie oversees Joel until the clock strikes twelve, following his line of vision on every rusted compartment of the vehicle. Stood attentively at his side as he pointed out the carefully crafted machinery, listing their parts despite Ellie’s protest of forgetfulness. There are so many names for everything; Building cars seems so complicated, but curiosity sparks in her. She starts to think: maybe cars aren’t so boring. 

Another sleepless night for the both of them; Might as well commit to movie night. Fireworks are still going off in the small neighborhood hours later. The booming colors in the sky makes Joel's teeth grind. Reminds him of the time he took Sarah to Santa Monica Pier. 

Joel? 

Mhm? 

… What favor did you owe my mom? 

Thickness builds in his throat the second Ellie mentions her. He sets the large bowl of chocolate-doused popcorn onto the coffee table, reaching for the remote to turn the movie down. Not off, down. Ellie hates feeling like she’s being scolded. 

Joel doesn’t look at her, but her eyes are glued on the side of his face. 

Umm… He scratches his face, Did your mom ever mention me to you? Ellie denies with a hum. 

Joel’s mind whirs back to the first time he met Anna: sophomore year. He was exhausted, drained, barely making it, but despite being miserable, he still cared deeply for his education. He studied until his eyes burned, jotted down notes until his hand cramped and the librarian was gently urging him to head home. 

She… We were friends in college. He fonds, We met at an ice cream truck. 

Weird. Ellie notes causally, She hates dairy. 

… Yeah. She does. Joel coughs to mask the brokenness in his voice. 

Anna was… a genius, to put it lightly. Academically gifted to an intimidating degree. Her mind was a camera; She’d scan one excerpt from the thickest novel once and still manage to repeat it word for word years later. They had comms together; Her voice sounded like tweeting birds whenever she recited her prepared speech like it was nothing. She was an emotional speaker, entranced everyone in the room, and always ended with a question that forced students and professors to self-reflect. Joel wouldn’t call it a crush… Merely admiration. Envy. He was motivated whenever he left comms. 

He’ll never forget the image of her, sweating and worn, carrying what seemed like a twenty-pound backpack — all stuffed with calculus books — while ordering a can of Sprite from the humming, beaten down truck. Anna didn’t leave after the vendor handed her the soft drink. She simply turned to Joel, inspected him from head to toe, and turned back to the vendor. 

I’ll cover whatever he gets, too. With a thumb aimed at him. He nearly choked. 

A free snow cone couldn’t halt the racing in his chest. 

I know what you are. 

What, He questioned without a stutter. 

You fix cars? Anna quirked a brow at him. Joel’s brows pull downward. How did she know that? He’s fixed one car since he’s been enrolled. His buddy pulled up in front of his dorm asking for a windshield repair. But he shrugs, feigning nonchalance. I dunno. 

The green-eyed girl scoffs and sips from her nearly emptied can. 

You down to replace a tire? Some jackass thought it would be funny to leave a rusty nail in our parking lot. 

Our. She must have roommates… or lives where he does, he thinks. For how much? Not a beat missed. 

Her shoulders lift, I dunno. How much does a tire cost? 

Depends on the model. What d’you drive?

A chevy. Don’t ask the year, I’m not sure. It was a hand-me-down. 

A slight pause between them before Anna suggests with a sigh,

Come see ‘er. 

-

-

-

Thar she blows. 

Joel can’t help but snicker at the woman in front of him, posing right next to her teetered vehicle. It’s quite charismatic; the bright pink bumper stickers, the crisp turquoise paint job, the slight scratch on the trunk. It’s nice. Classically vintage; it suits her. 

A beauty, he notes with his eyes locked onto Anna’s. She gives a hum in agreement. 

Revive her, if ya don’t mind. I’m desperate and can’t sue, so. Joel nods and inspects the damage on her tire. The air is nearly fully gone, and it’s making her drive slump. 

Tire shouldn’t be more than thirty-five… Gonna have to head home for some stuff. Willing to wait an hour? When he turns to her, they’re shoulder to shoulder. 

Anna smirks, Whatever you need, mechanic. 

My dad, Joel corrects, He taught me the basics when I was like… twelve. 

Her voice lowers, Good on him… Earned me a discount, eh? A hand claps down on his shoulder and gives it an encouraging squeeze, and he revs to life. 

He swears the tips of his ears are red hot, Sure… minus that deposit. I needa twenty for emotional damages. 

Fuck off. Her eyes are soft, Might never go to the shop again. You’re officially my car fixer-upper. Fuck these grease-balls n’ their price spikes. 

Joel snorts, You get into that many goddamn accidents? 

She leans in closer, and his throat closes. Slams shut. Turns to dust. 

You’ll find out, mechanic.

That’s why you’re spending so much time on it, Ellie notes at Joel’s retelling before a harsh gasp escapes her. Dude, were you in love with my mom or somethin’?

The man stutters and coughs, No — what? I told you she was a frien—

Ellie snickers with a judgmental point, Yeaaah, yeaaah, I know how these things go. You sucker! 

What the hell — I’m not a sucker… And what things—

Anna and Joeeel sitting in a tree! — 

A pillow smacks Ellie dead in the face, and she topples over in cackles. Joel rubs deep in his temples. Ellie would’ve loved Sarah. Two little bullies who feast on his suffering. 

No more storytelling. I’m going to bed. 

You can’t! Remember? Ellie hollers as tears fall from her eyes. She coos at Joel when he lifts himself off the couch and down the hall, trying to mask his small smile. 

Aww! C’mon, old man, it was a joke! 

I can’t wait for you to go back to school, ya vermin! 

-

-

-

An exhausted Ellie creeps into Joel’s room half an hour later. She sighs in relief when she doesn’t hear snoring. Her mom was the worst when she was tired. She tiptoes across the carpeted floors until she’s in front of the unoccupied side of the mattress, stealthily adjusting the blankets and pulling back the sheets. 

She slowly manages to tuck herself in, fixing the pillows so her head rests on the cold side of the case, exhaling happily at the warmth defrosting her limbs. 

The second she dozed off, she yanked to consciousness by raspy sarcasm. Her eyes roll underneath her lids.

You can’t, either. Joel croaks, Remember?

JANUARY, 2010

Five days until school. Five days until misery. Five days until… strangers. Ellie’s skin crawls whenever she thinks about being an enclosed space with snot-nosed boys and soggy lunches. 

And math… Gross. 

Joel has been more than willing to postpone Ellie’s enrollment whenever she becomes anxious, but she always denies his requests. She’s grown to like Joel, but… he’s not the best teacher, especially social studies. Reviewing one of her old packets nearly gave him an aneurysm. She can’t afford to be homeschooled by him. 

What's been the best distraction from her impending doom? 

Binge watching Cars for the billionth time… And helping Joel patch up that blue Chevy. 

They celebrated their first victory last night for repairs, at least: Joel stuck and twisted the key to start up the engine, and it managed to stutter to life. For less than five seconds. The headlights barely came on and an old Foreigner record broke through the crackly speaker. They rejoiced with the brightest smiles as their hands slapped the dashboard before the vehicle crashed out once more. 

A glimmer of hope. A chance for reconnection. Anna’s sending them messages. The joy in that car shifted to grievance; Joel had to cradle Ellie in his lap as she wept into his shoulder. 

But there’s hope. Ellie wanted nothing more than to get this car working after that. Duty calls, though, and the alarm’s coming from a backpack. 

You got this, kid. Stop stressin’. 

Ellie, without a doubt in her mind, does not got this. 

Screaming children, muddy slides, bloody band aids; they’re all on the other side of that office door. Her worst nightmare has come to life, and she desires nothing more than to hide out in her mom’s car forever. The bag strapped around her shoulders matches the weight of a body. She refuses to let go of Joel’s hand as he speaks with the giggly receptionist who’s too happy to see him (what the hell), but it's okay; he’s holding hers just as tightly. Just as paranoid, apparently. 

She’ll be with Mrs. Lawson for the remainder of the year. Ellie hears the receptionist say over her pounding heart, She’s incredible! I’m sure they'll develop an amazing bond. 

Ellie’s palms are sweltering. Joel must feel it because his thumb nuzzles into her wrist. She’s not built for this. Maybe returning so soon wasn’t a great idea. She can’t do this without her mom. 

Cool backpack, Spidey, is said from behind her, and she stiffens instantly. 

She has a Spider-man backpack. 

Hush. An older man’s voice replies. Sounds strained. Stressed, but he only receives a light snicker from her in return. 

Ellie watches with squinted eyes as a young girl gets escorted towards the front of the office by… the principal, she assumes? He seems fancy in his suit slacks. 

You stay right here until I get your uncle on the phone, The suited man is stern towards the girl, who plops down on one of the waiting chairs. Backpack and all, You can explain to him how you swore at a teacher. I’m not dealing with this from you today. 

M’kay, Mr. Harris. 

Ellie observes the entire scene indiscreetly. Her stares are obvious, glued to the clearly agitated dean who stomps into his office. 

Where’d you get your backpack? 

Ellie’s stunned at your sudden whisper. She shocks herself when she quietly stutters,

Um… Walmart? 

You smile, I like it. I want one. 

Ellie simply nods, but gets paused before she can redirect her attention to Joel. 

Are you new? Your voice grows quieter when you look over your shoulder. Right at the principal’s door. I am, too. I just moved schools. 

This shocks the brunette. The new year just started, and you're already locked in the office with evidently angry staff. 

Yeah… I’m new. 

Something in your grin shifts. Ellie’s nails lock into Joel’s hand. … Interesting— 

Young lady! Did Mr. Harris give you permission to speak? 

You audibly ponder like the attendance clerk asked you to solve a riddle. 

No, ma’am. I apologize. 

Then hush. Not another word. 

Ellie watches you fold your hands politely, twiddling your thumbs. Your eyes don’t leave her backpack. 

Ready, kiddo? 

Her eyes finally reconnect with Joel’s, encouraging and chocolate, and she nods. He guides her to the office exit where her new life resides. Before their departure, she can’t help but take one last respectful glance over her shoulder. She finds you staring with a quirked lip and your wrist outstretched like your shooting spider webs at her. Ellie jerks her head forward and releases the breath she’s been holding. 

What a weirdo. 

tagggiiiiessss :3: @inf3ct3dd @fleshunger @sawaagyapong @elliesbitchh @aouiaa @elliesatchel @williamellieslilho @elliewilliamgfooc @bready101 @myluvforstarz

[tojisun]

i love love love!! the new theme.

i need to show u my eid haul. i got presents. PRESENTS! ive never actually got presents for eid its always money so i am. excited

hi tala my beloved princess!!!

thank u so much teehee <33 i did it as a treat for myself yesterday bc if i didnt take a break from my paper i was gon have a breakdown!!

AND OMG YESSS PLS SHOW ME AHHH!!! im so happy to hear that u got presents this eid <33 mwah mwah!!

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

🦇 Good morning and happy Tuesday to all my bookish bats, dragons, and babes! I hope today is filled with amazing new stories, releases, and BIG book hauls!

❓ #QOTD What book release are you most looking forward to at the moment? ❓

💜 I've gushed about you wonderful book bats before, and I'll do it again without hesitation: the booklr/bookstagram community is AMAZING. I've spoken to so many passionate readers about beloved series, auto-buy authors, and OF COURSE black cats since starting this account. Though my growth is small, the support and heart here are HUGE.

⚖️ One of my all-time fave accounts—an account I can NEVER get enough of on my feed—is @thatbookishlawyer on Insta (Mani)! The moment you visit her feed, you're surrounded by stunning book photos, great recommendations, and above all else, a passion for books. Mani is best known for her relatable reels, which ALWAYS manage to make me smirk or laugh (a real feat) at the least opportune times (with all the spicy-sweet books we read, there's really a time and place for Booksta). Regardless of what she has going on, Mani is sweet, inviting, and engaging.

🐈‍⬛ Thank you so much for sending me a copy of The Henna Wars by award-winning author Adiba Jaigirdar (@dibs_j on Insta). This book feels like the perfect post-Ramadan/Eid read. Growing up, I never saw queer Muslims like myself in literature or on-screen. Nominated for the Goodreads Best Young Adult Fiction in 2020, The Henna Wars is exactly what I searched for on shelves growing up. I'm delighted, inspired, and above all else grateful. Thank you Adiba Jaigirdar for penning this story and Mani for sending it my way! #CleoCatra and I have a lot of reading to do!

💜 Sending love to all the readers who have made this corner of social media feel like home. I hope you have an amazing day!

📖 The Henna Wars: When Dimple Met Rishi meets Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda in this rom-com about two teen girls with rival henna businesses. When Nishat comes out to her parents, they say she can be anyone she wants—as long as she isn’t herself. Because Muslim girls aren’t lesbians. Nishat doesn’t want to hide who she is, but she also doesn’t want to lose her relationship with her family. And her life only gets harder once a childhood friend walks back into her life. Flávia is beautiful and charismatic and Nishat falls for her instantly. But when a school competition invites students to create their own businesses, both Flávia and Nishat choose to do henna, even though Flávia is appropriating Nishat’s culture. Amidst sabotage and school stress, their lives get more tangled—but Nishat can’t quite get rid of her crush on Flávia, and realizes there might be more to her than she realized.

[almaqead]

"The Squill." From Surah Seven, Al Araf, "The Heights."

7:64-69:

We have learned during our Pre-Ramadan Flight Path that the name of Allah means "to measure the goodness of God." The First Seat, which means "shoulder to shoulder with God" is the Highest of the Heights of measurements one can aspire to.

In order to make any kind of ascent to the Heights possible, God gave us the Torah which states there are Six Days and an unlikely Seventh called Eid al Fitr in Arabic, "The Festival for the Breaking of the Fast" called Shabbat in Hebrew.

Ramadan "the scorching" which consists of forty days in the desert is the same in every religion. The actual transformation modeled during the forty days is supposed to be the same as the Forty Years during which Moses and Aaron hauled the Israelites into the Zin after they were freed from Egypt in order to finally get them to think for themselves and become a lasting, impregnable nation.

Like the Israelites, Muslims have never quite completed the journey through the Zin, "the place of the sunrise the place of realizations."

The noun צאן (so'n) describes a flock of small animals like sheep or goats, which proverbially wanders about and disperses during times of carefree ease.

The verb יצא (yasa') describes a divergent motion: to go out or go forth. Noun צאצא (se'esa) means offspring or produce. Noun מוצא (mosa') denotes a place, agent or act of going out: a going forth, an utterance, a source or spring of water, a place of departure, a mine. It's also the word for sunrise. The similar noun מוצאה (mosa'a) means latrine. Noun תוצאה (tosa'a) denotes a full collection of whatever goings-out.

I have personally never met a Muslim practitioner that did not impress me or love me with all their hearts. I have been blessed many times by the strength of the devotion no other at the time could possibly have shown me, and there is no greater testimony to the faith than persons such as these. But even still, the world is unconvinced. It remains afraid of Muslims, and Muslims are deeply afraid of themselves. The world appears to think it has few options for the problem of Islam.

Islam is not the problem, Muslims are not the problem. The problem is this thing called Zin, which has the opposite meaning of "being in the latrine" as opposed to "on the way to Paradise."

I have proposed a number of ways the world can choose to benefit from reading the Quran and pressing forward into the Zin. These include a global state of unity regarding American politics. The Republican Party is a vile thing and it cannot continue. America must, like the rest follow the UN Declaration of Human Rights and finally acknolwedge the fact it has a Constitution that is not subject to the whims of religion.

Israel must become one scared place capable like the rest of supporting its citizens well beyond aid packages and occasional temporary ceasefires.

The world has been staunchly opposed to this but God gave humankind a promise, that the unity within Israel would signal unity for the rest and this promise must be kept. No one will be harmed during the constitution of Israel and Palestine, there are no reasons to resist this logical approach.

Nothing in Palestine will change, it can remain its own jurisdiction and choose its own representatives to the Israeli Parliament, and continue to look, feel, and motivate its people in ways they are accustomed. Federalizing Palestine will give its citizens access to income, free education, free health care, opportunities to travel and see the world, rear families without fear, and contribute their voices to global affairs.

All resistance to a single-state Israel must stop, all the fighting must stop and peace must emerge from the process of Zin this Holy Season, it is obvious from our study of the Quran this is what God wants.

The climb to the Heights continues with an additional installment of commentaries on the story of Noah and the Great Flood. Noah means "respite" it also means "to plunge down, to drown."

But they rejected him, so We saved him and those with him in the Ark, and drowned those who rejected Our signs. They were certainly a blind people.

And to the people of ’Âd We sent their brother Hûd. He said, “O my people! Worship Allah—you have no other god except Him. Will you not then fear Him?”

The disbelieving chiefs of his people responded, “We surely see you as a fool, and we certainly think you are a liar.”

Hûd replied, “O my people! I am no fool! But I am a messenger from the Lord of all worlds,conveying to you my Lord’s messages. And I am your sincere advisor.

Do you find it astonishing that a reminder should come to you from your Lord through one of your own so he may warn you?

Remember that He made you successors after the people of Noah and increased you greatly in stature. So remember Allah’s favours, so you may be successful.”

Ad and Hud mean "until the Message is received", a perfect theme for Ramadan at a time we are being bombed by hot water balloons filled with bullshit by the enemies of mankind.

Again we see the question, "are you astounded to see you are being chastised for your behavior?"

How impossible is it that every child on this planet knows why God told Noah to build and ark and board it- because man had become too violent, and then grows up caring not in the least about God's prohibition against violence?

I have created Six More Days out of the passages above, perhaps we can answer this question, one which has vexed every prophet since the beginning of time:

But they rejected Him. The Value in Gematria is 11315, "will be proud."

And to the people of Ad We sent their brother Hud. The Value in Gematria is 8851, חחהא‎‎‎, hahaha, which literally means a rooster in the henhouse but put more appropriately it means "seeing what can be seen by the means with which it is seen." The chicken or the egg question means nothing unless there is a Rooster nearby.

The disbelieving chiefs. The Value in Gematria is 1420, אדב אֶפֶס, zero politeness.

Hud, the Message, replied. The Value in Gematria is 8727, חזב‎ז‎, hezb, "the squill", the "stonecutter."

Do you find it astonishing? The Value in Gematria is 8668, חו‎ ו‎ ח‎ ‎, hu and h, "Him and God."

Remember He made you successors. The Value in Gematria is 8259, ח‎ב‎הט, fondness for hebat, "the offering."

The squill, a kind of iris lily, is the symbol of the House of David. The same series of Hebrew letters equates to a "stonecutter" which is always Moses, or water, meaning the direct experience of the water of sentience, which irrigates the mind through the study of religion is the target of the study of religion.

The Quran was written to help Arabs keep up with a world that was being changed by water of the the Torah and the Gospels and in many cases it did help. We have not seen a great leap in the human capacity for sentience in a long time, perhaps we are measuring the wrong things, but the onset of a Third World War is not a sign we are evolving further than ever before.

The final verse of my New Six Days binds the others altogether. It is once again Zakah that turns an animal into a man, it is the boundary base between what is unthinkable and compulsory, and Moses said not a thing about it, but it is mentioned all over the place in the Quran. This means Islam, its Book and its Prophet could yet play a huge role in propelling us past these deplorable conditions we have created.

[atif1991]

Eid al-Fitr Shopping Haul 2023

[squeemcsquee]

TFCon Chicago 2022: Sunday

Sunday was really the shortest and easiest day. No panels, as nothing really caught our eye. So we were able to eat and pack up without worrying too much about time, other than keeping an eye on when the dealer area opened.

@shbumi​ and I spent some time in the morning just wandering the area and playing Pokemon Go.

After that, and once we’d checked out of the room and hauled our stuff to our cars, we checked out the Optimus Prime truck. You could sort of consider it a “guide yourself” little museum exhibit – there were stands with information and pictures stationed on each side of the truck. I think we probably killed a half hour or so just walking around it, taking photos, and reading the information.

After our time with the Optimus truck, we did final laps of the dealer area. @shbumi​ cut out after that, but @lechevaliermalfet​ and I had one final goal: autographs. @lechevaliermalfet​ got in line for Paul Eiding. And after I struggled to get Venmo set up on my phone because it was either that or cash and my supply of real money was already gone, I hopped in line for Sue Blu.

And once we had those safely in hand, home we went.

Yeah, I’m not sure why I took so long to write this day up either.

All TFCon Chicago 2022 Coverage

Friday

Saturday

Sunday (current post)

[sharjahcentral]

Tips to keep your kids happy while you are shopping

It’s two weeks since the New Year began, and many brands are still offering attractive discounts. The weekend is almost here, and it’s your last chance to avail yourself of these offers. If you want to know how to manage shopping and kids simultaneously at the Sharjah Central Mall, here are a few tips to have fun this weekend!    

What can you do with your kids at shopping malls?

Give them a task

Growing children get excited when they are given a task to accomplish. Be it carrying the shopping bags, or checking the things off your list. These activities develop the sensory functions in their bodies. Children also learn how to buy the essentials for the house! So, give them a task whenever you take them out shopping.  

Make it a game

While your kids will be happy to carry out the assigned tasks, they will get bored. To keep them hooked to whatever they are doing, see if you can make a game out of it. For example, if you are shopping for clothes at the store, ask them what color to pick. Making shopping a fun activity can also be a great learning activity as well.

Add small and fun rewards

Everyone desires brownie points, and so do your kids. After they complete their tasks successfully, take them to an ice cream parlor and buy their favorite chocolate ice cream loaded with nuts. Or increase their TV time a little longer the following week or cut down on one of their daily chores at home. Think of rewards that are fun and which teach your child a valuable lesson.

Allow your child to bring a friend

While your kids would love to accompany you on your grocery and shopping hauls, they may find it dull or overwhelming after scanning the entire store to buy things. You can ask their friends to join during these times. Your kid will feel safe, and they might have fun exploring various things.

Revealing various ways to entertain your kids at Sharjah Central Mall

Watching awaited kids' movies

Theaters with giant screens and thunderous audio systems can be new and thrilling for your kids. We are sure they wanted to revisit the multiplex cine halls after their first movie there. If your kids don’t have school on a Saturday, take them to the theaters and watch animated movies from Disney or superhero films from Marvel and DC.    

Shopping toys & games at Toys R Us Store

Toys remind everyone of their childhood, right? They play a vital role in your kids’ lives while they are growing up. Even today, kids and adults are fond of toys and board games. Take your kids to the Toys R Us store at the Sharjah Central Mall for a fun-filled weekend, and embrace your inner child again!  

Participating in mall's events & activities

You can visit anywhere in your city, looking for activities to participate in during weekends and festivals. These days, malls put up stalls and conduct various games for six- to 60-year-olds, especially during Eid and New Year. It’s an excellent opportunity for your kids to bond with you and simultaneously meet other children of their age.  

Eating at food court & ice cream parlors

Can you think of a better way to end your weekend shopping spree without food? Exploring new food varieties is a huge and exciting deal for your kids. If you want them to enjoy and develop a taste for exotic cuisines, you can visit our mall's cafeteria and other food joints.

Play & enjoy at Orange Hub

Like toy stores, Orange Hub is another one-stop fun destination for kids and adults at the Sharjah Central Mall. Orange Hub has everything from video games like Super Mario to thrilling car and bike racing. You can also find areas for your little ones where they can be among hundreds of colorful balls and win one too! So, head to this place after all your shopping and win exciting freebies.  

Whether you want to click great pictures at the mall or explore pop-up shops during festivals, Sharjah Central Mall is the right place for your family. Don’t wait for the weekend to have fun; visit the mall today and keep coming back for many more enjoyable times together!

[thegirlingreenscarfsite]

My EID outfit

Eid is over and this blog will cover my Eid OOTD.

For Eid day 1 as it was very hot and there were no such plans except distribution of meat and cleaning meat. Late in the evening I decided to get ready and this is I wore

Ignore the background, as my brother was not in the mood for talking the picture I decided to ended up anywhere. I was super late so the sun was all set and I was not able to…

[gay-jesus-probably]

ok now I'm curious what webcomic you were referring to in that post about neurodivergence, sounds interesting!

Stand Still Stay Silent! Like I mentioned, it's a webcomic (mostly) set 90 years after an apocalypse - the prologue shows the build up from 'mild incovenience' to 'societal collapse', and then jumps ahead to 90 years later. The entirety of the known inhabited world is down to just Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland (with the implications of more survivors in other regions, but there's no possible way to reach them or contact them, so it doesn't matter). Also the prologue begins with showing borders closing due to a new, highly infectious and deadly disease, spreading via aerial transmission, with people being warned to wear masks and socially distance themselves, and the best way to screen out the infection is a two week quarentine. Which is pretty funny for a webcomic that started in like 2014. Fucking called that one.

Also it's really fucking pretty. The author specifically goes out of her way to make it a nice apocalypse sometimes, and tbh even when it's horrifying, it still looks incredible. Seriously, this is the art:

These are the main characters from the webcomic, from left to right: Tuuri Hotakainen, she's the mechanic and translator for the group, Sigrun Eide (short red hair), she's the leader and fighter of the group because there is some bad shit out there, Lalli Hotakainen (draped over the bridge), he's Tuuri's younger cousin and is the scout of the group, and the character that I mentioned being Really Fucking Weird, Mikkel Madsen (sideburns) is the medic, cook, and general voice of reason, Reynir Arnason (red braid) accidentally stowed away on their expedition and it was too late to send him back so he's stuck with them, for the long haul, and Emil Vasterstrom, the resident pyromaniac.

YES the cat is also part of the group, her names are Kissekat, Missekat, Pussekat, Kisu and Kisa. Which is to say her name is Kitty, and the group has named her that in their respective native languages.

...Oh yeah, there's lots of fun with language barriers too! Reynir, Sigrun, Emil and Lalli only speak Icelandic, Norweigan, Swedish and Finnish (respectively), Mikkel knows Danish and Icelandic, and Tuuri speaks Finnish, Swedish and Icelandic. Luckily, Danish, Swedish and Norweigan are basically the same languages, so if you know one of them you can understand the other two just fine, but Icelandic's had a lot of time to itself to develop differently, so Reynir can only really talk to Tuuri and Mikkel, while Finnish has never been related to the other languages at all, so Lalli can't understand anyone but Tuuri, and will be completely fucked if he's seperated from his cousin.

(spoilers: he is eventually seperated from his cousin)

Anyways, it's a really good webcomic, 10/10 would recommend.

[doll-collecting-aerialist]

Christmas Haul!!

First off, I got two new girls!! Caroline was a complete surprise, and I got her a couple days before Christmas (my mom likes to hide the dolls around the house and wait for me to “discover” them). I knew Gwen was coming, because I was the one who sent my mom the listing!!

I got three AG outfits, and one OG outfit. I got the Diwali and Eid outfit, and Maryellen’s Sledding outfit!! My sister found me a cute dino outfit from Target because currently I’m studying paleoanthropology.

I also got Maryellen’s sled set!! I didn’t expect it at all, but I’m so happy about it. I’ve been wanting Addy’s sled, but this one is just as good (if not better, since it could be used for most of my dolls, historical or modern). Now if it would just stop being 80 degrees outside…

I also got some photography lighting equipment, but I haven’t set it up yet, and the overall dollblr community probably wouldn’t find it to interesting, lol.

[artsy-hobbitses]

SHIT IT’S SURPRISE EID AND NOW A BITCH GOTTA HAUL ASS BACK TO THE FAMILIAL HOME AND BAKE FOUR CAKES INTO MIDNIGHT

[lesleenona321]

How To Begin Your Hemp Seeds

Puree all or Bloom Green CBD Oil any of the next in a blender: 6 or 7 tomatoes, one or two onions, garlic, 2-6 tablespoons lemon juice, sea salt, soaked sun dried tomatoes, spices and herbs you require. Fill the blender to the top-about 7-8 cups. Mix the blended mixture into the flax seed mixture. (Do not blend; you in order to be leave the flax seeds whole.) Add caraway seeds or fennel seeds or dried onion bits if you enjoy. Celebrating Eid ul-Fitr in India is definitely an opportunity for vacationers figure out how people of different faiths are now living perfect sense of balance. After Eid, comes the shopping festival that known as Navratri. These nine days bring business as individuals are in shopping mood. The Navratri would conclude on 14th October 2013 your Cannabis Study celebration of Vijay Dashmi.

If in order to using the microwave method, you have to pour up from the melted soap, return the soap base to the microwave and continue heating systems. This will prevent over heating. Growing private weed looks as if a great idea, however it really often has tragic backlashes. If a cancer patient can be shipped to jail for growing marijuana, don't you think that you can too? Public agencies in the uk have developed methods for tracking home growers, pinpointing increased electricity use, using infrared cameras mounted on helicopters to find unusual hot-spots in random houses, and following leads from backstabbing neighbors. Besides all of that, the cultivation of the Cannabis plant is a complicated and delicate art form, which you most likely have neither the time or startup money important to carry out properly. Begin by measuring Skim Milk in the container. Add salt and lime in small amounts, mixing steadily until all the powder disappears. Don't worry about lumps during that point; continue stirring until the mixture starts to thicken. Is superior to milk paint so not the same as more common products is the reason that that milk paint is water dependent. Oil and latex based paints are much thicker than milk paint; keep this in mind as you blend your batch. No charge for the sun, totally free for the wind, totally free for waves, no charge for natural thermal outlets . supply for these alternative methods costs not much! Thousands and thousands, millions consumers will stop killed or poisoned, when your big wave comes and cuts the sand off the shore and takes a unit, for women whole fleet of them, in order to sea. It is kill all the fish within just a thousand miles either, and we can haul the pieces back in, once 9530 passes; get the rust off and stick them back in a relationship. In the one omega3 source in order to added towards everyday nourishment. This can be fish or fish oil in its raw form, flax seeds or flaxseed oil, Bloom Green CBD Oil Benefits, walnuts, shrimps, navy beans or soy beans. Corn oil and olive oyl also provide some degrees of these fat. Enriched eggs are 1 source yet be positioned on the everyday diet. Then will take a very the Amsterdam dungeon. Products a theatre which shows re-enactments of things like life within plague, Rembrandt's life, or scenes all of the doings of Peter Titelmann. It should be quite anything to see these things upfront but from a safer one.

[divinum-pacis]

After communal prayers end, people visit family and friends in the community. “We have more visitors on the Haul celebration than we do on Eid al-Fitr. Friends and family from far away villages come by,” said Dini, who had more than 40 visitors at her house during the two-day celebration. “We started cooking two days ahead, because we cooked both for our household and for the public events.”  RNS photo by Alexandra Radu

[reportstore]

COVID-19 concerns increase in May following easing of lockdowns

The COVID-19 concern file, as estimated by reactions to a continuous survey sent off by Verdict in March, has been following how the worries over Covid have been changing over the long haul.

The survey asked how concerned the respondent is about the spread of Covid and incorporates five choices to browse - extremely concerned, somewhat concerned, neither concerned nor uninterested, not exceptionally concerned, and not worried.

Concern list depends on respondents, who addressed that they are extremely worried about the spread of COVID-19.

Worries during the main portion of April stayed high yet declined consistently from mid-April through the primary seven day stretch of May reflecting certainty over the pandemic's control following the lock-down declarations worldwide. Notwithstanding, as the contamination rates began to drop and legislatures saw the need to return their economies, a critical number of nations began reporting either an incomplete or full resuming of unimportant organizations and public/worldwide vehicle.

Following these declarations, the pattern switched from the second seven day stretch of May, with a critical expansion in the quantity of respondents that communicated a high concern.

Coronavirus concern record May 2020After a decay from mid-April, the worry level expanded from the second seven day stretch of May, back almost to the levels seen toward the beginning of April. The level of exceptionally concerned respondents, which was at a pinnacle of 80.08% toward the finish of March, declined consistently to 64% by the main seven day stretch of May yet switched from that point to arrive at 78.58% on 16 May.

The investigation depends on a sum of 138,055 reactions got between 13 March and 20 May.

Germany was quite possibly the earliest country in Europe to ease lockdown limitations as it permitted shops to resume on 06 May.

Baltic nations permitted cross boundary travel, while Serbia lifted its highly sensitive situation on 06 May. Spain, Italy and France are not many other European nations that have step by step facilitated limitations.

Among Asian nations, New Zealand was quick to move out of the public highly sensitive situation on 13 May. In spite of the fact that lockdown is set up until 31 May, India facilitated specific limitations, for example, permitting homegrown travel and opening of select unimportant organizations.

A portion of the US states have begun permitting specific organizations to open albeit a cross country lockdown is still set up.

Russia began lifting limitations on 11 May permitting public social occasion to resume and endorsing the section of unfamiliar competitors. Turkey began to ease limitations permitting shopping centers, hair parlors, and beauty parlors to open albeit a four-day lockdown was carried out over the Eid weekend.

Malaysia has expanded its development limitation boycott until 06 June albeit a few organizations have been permitted to open.

Somewhere around 33 additional nations have facilitated limitations, including Switzerland, Senegal, Iran, Slovenia, Jordan, Croatia, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Greece, Philippines, North Macedonia, Mexico, Japan, Brunei, Myanmar, Tunisia beverages market, Poland, Egypt, Israel, Malta, Nigeria, UAE, Syria, Czech Republic, Singapore, Thailand, Qatar, Cyprus, Venezuela, Cambodia, Denmark, Palestine, and Iceland.

Coronavirus concerns could stay high because of future facilitating The COVID-19 worries could keep on excess high in the midst of expanded public development and fears of a second flood of contaminations. Further, more nations are supposed to ease lockdown estimates before very long.

Nations that are probably going to either ease lockdown gauges or return their economies over the course of the following couple of weeks incorporate Scotland (28 May), Kuwait and Algeria (31 May), Nepal (02 June), Argentina (07 June), Morocco (10 June), Armenia (13 June), and UK (15 June).

[ourprefers]

Indonesian sailors nab record haul of cocaine floating in the sea

Indonesian sailors nab record haul of cocaine floating in the sea

Sailors deployed to secure travel during the Eid al-Fitr holiday made Indonesia’s biggest cocaine seizure, after finding plastic packages of the drug floating at sea, the nation’s navy said. Key points: 179 kg of cocaine was seized, valued at nearly $120 million The four parcels of drugs were found floating in a busy port by navy personnel  Despite strict drug laws, Indonesia is a major hub for…

[hyphae-cipher]

Who hurts more after a breakup?

Who hurts more after a breakup?

Women experience more emotional pain following a breakup than men, researchers have found. They reported higher levels of both physical and emotional pain. However, researchers also said that, over time, they came put stronger - while men simply moved on and never fully recover. Aug 6, 2015 how to get your ex boyfriend back after a long time

What percent of breakups get back together?

According to new research, almost 50 percent of couples break up, and then get back together again. Yeah, that's a little messy, but there are upsides to splitting up before settling down for the long haul, according to Sheri Meyers, PsyD, author of Chatting or Cheating. Feb 20, 2013 how to get your ex boyfriend back spiritually https://www.google.com/calendar/event?eid=cm5vZWZkYWJodWJmZHUycG83NHM0amRsZ28gZ2VrbGQ0cjNmZWE5MDM5OWpvM2tkOWtpc3NAZw https://exbackluv.wordpress.com/2021/08/18/how-to-get-your-ex-boyfriend-back-2/