#things to do in dominican republic for families

[sepublic]

The detail of the Nocedas moving to Gravesfield for a better hospital adds a lot to their loneliness after Manny’s death; Because if Manny and Camila had extended friends and family, they would’ve been separated from them. Camila mentions her grandmother still being around to Vee, but that could’ve just been a lie since it was an alibi. And even if Camila organized the occasional trip, she probably didn’t have the money to move back and get another house if the old one was already taken, and you can’t just afford constant trips with a full-time job and enough hours to support you and your daughter.

It’s interesting because the writers could’ve easily left things as is, the Nocedas are a weird family whom Gravesfield sees as not belonging. But because they’re from outside, it does acknowledge that there must’ve been extended family members or grandparents they left behind in the move, and that’s why they aren’t much of a factor. The family feels limited that way thanks to the nuclear family dynamic that a lot of people are pressured into, something Luz’s found family helps them break out of later on.

Of course, kids can have extended family they do interact with, and still be very lonely at school… But as I said, it adds to their struggle and context, and makes Camila feel so much more lonely and tragic in the loss of her husband. And given how she was a weird kid herself, did her parents ever support her, like she did Luz? Did Manny’s feel the same way? Did either of them move from the Dominican Republic to pursue their own dreams, and so most of their family is in another country?

[wanderlustphotosblog]

Adventure Awaits: Top Things to Do in the Dominican Republic

Uncover the allure of the Dominican Republic. From beautiful beaches to rich cultural heritage, find the best activities and attractions in this Caribbean paradise.

This top activities to do in the Dominican Republic post contains my Viator affiliate links. I may receive a commission when you book a tour from this article, though at no additional cost to you. I hand-pick and recommend only the tours that I have thoroughly researched and feel comfortable recommending. The Dominican Republic is a vibrant Caribbean island nation that offers many captivating…

[lovelytsunoda]

proud mary // han lue

summary: now living a quiet life with their daughter, han and y/n reflect on how they got there, and all the good moments that are still yet to come.

pairing: han lue x wife! reader

warnings: this is a big one so listen up: mentions of post pregnancy mental illness, mentions of pregnancy and starting a a family, weddings, ignoring tokyo drift canon because I fucking can, (actually I ignored a lot of canon) han is about to activate a shit ton of daddy issues

I left a good job in the city, working for the man every night and day and I never lost one minute of sleeping, I was worrying 'bout the way the things might've been.

big wheel keeps on turning, proud mary keeps on burning. and we’re rolling, rolling, rolling down the river

2009, tokyo, japan.

the garage was dark, lit only by the moonlight and the small lamps atop the workstations. han lue had closed up hours ago, and everyone was gone save for him and his lover.

“han, what are you doing?” y/n laughed, sitting at a table scattered with nail polish bottles and a shellac brisa light. “it looks like a smudge.”

“it’s a drifting car!” han laughed, staring through the large magnifying glass that was allowing him to see the design he was attempting to paint on his lovers thumbnail. “see, there’s the spoiler and those are the headlights!”

friday night manicures had become somewhat of a tradition. y/n hated painting her nails with her non dominant hand, but she also didn’t speak enough japanese to venture out and get her nails professionally done. when she and han started dating, he offered to do it for her, easing the aggravation that sometimes came with doing mail designs yourself.

“well, now that you’ve pointed it out.” she laughed, kissing him on the cheek. “I love you.”

they had been together coming up on two years. two long, wonderful years. she was a mechanic and he was drifter, it was almost meant to be. she stopped him from getting himself killed, and in return, he loved her unconditionally.

they were sympatico like that. she loved his sense of humour, his protectiveness. he loved her smarts and the excited way she talked, animatedly and with hand gestures.

“what do you say we get out of japan for a bit?”

han should have known this question was coming. y/n was a restless spirit, never meant to stay in one place for too long. in a way, han was as well. he could tell that his lover had been more restless than usual, either from missing home or needing a change of scenery.

“a friend of mine, his name is dominic torretto, he’s got this place down in the dominican republic.” han started slowly, unsure of how much he wanted to involved her in. y/n was his whole world, and what dom and mia would be running was far bigger than street racing in shibuya.“he called me the other day wondering if I would run a job with him. but it’s not entirely legal and I don’t blame you if you don’t want any part in it.”

“baby,” she frowned, placing her hand inside the blue light machine. “of course I’ll go with you. I never pass up a chance to go somewhere sunny, and you know that I’d go anywhere with you. what we’re running here with twinkie and sean isn’t exactly legal either, you know. I’m a big girl, seoul-oh. I can handle myself.”

“I know. I just want you to know what you’re getting into. you’re important to me, y/n.”

“I know.” she said softly, running her hand up his arm as she rested her head on his shoulder, gently kissing his neck. “so when does our flight leave?”

“whenever you want it to. I haven’t even bought the tickets yet. are you ready for an adventure?”

“fuck yeah.” y/n smiled, pressing her lips to his. “but you have to paint my other nails first.”

han laughed, the kind of laugh that would always set loose the butterflies in y/n’s chest, the kind that reminded her why she fell in love with him in the first place.

“I don’t think I have it in me to paint another drifting car.”

“then what are you going to paint on my thumbnail?” y/n laughed back, looking down at her nails and realizing that her lover had actually done a very good job painting a drifting car manicure.

“I don’t know,” han shrugged. he would deny it if asked, but he actually loved painting y/n’s nails. he thought it brought them closer together, built up intimacy in their relationship.

they were moments he wouldn’t trade for the world.

“I’ll just do like a checkered flag or something.”

“but you did that on my index finger!”

laughing, y/n turned her head to kiss him. “come on, you big dork. the sooner we get my nails done, she sooner I can model that new lingerie set I bought last weekend.”

“sold!” han laughed, knocking over bottles of gel polish as he searched for the bright pink he had used to paint the car on his girlfriends other hand. “drifting car? f1 car? whatever my gorgeous gorgeous girl wants.”

“I love you, han lue.”

“love you more, pretty girl.”

2010, monte carlo, monaco.

it was set up to be another sleepless night without her lover by her side, and y/n was having none of that as she wandered the deck of the comfortable yacht, looking around at the decorations that the crew had spent the day putting up.

she was just praying that it wasn’t going to rain.

nothing was about to spoil her big day.

she scurried below deck, past a half open door through which she could hear roman pearce’s guttural snores. fingers curled around the door knob, she tried not to make any noise as she eased the door open, slipping into the cabin.

“you couldn’t sleep either?” she laughed, looking at the king size bed where her fiancé lay, phone in his hands as he texted his mother, who the crew was picking up in the harbour in the morning before the ceremony began.

“got a lot on my mind.” han shrugged. “fucking tej won’t shut up about the reception and the playlist and I’ve told him a million times that it’s not going to be some crazy rave kinda thing.” the man sat up, gesturing for his soon-to-be wife to come closer. "it's doing my head in. seriously, he wants to do a club mix of 'i would do anything for love'."

y/n snorted. han thought she looked like an angel in the low cabin light, a halo glowing around her head and shining off her white silk pajamas, the ones with the tiny shorts and 'bride' embroidered on the butt. "how the fuck do you turn the best meat loaf song in existence into a club rave song?"

"the fuck if i know." han shook his head, hands sliding up her thighs as she came to stand in between his legs. "jagi, sarang-hae."

honey, i love you.

"mhm." she hummed, a smile on her lips as she leaned down to kiss him sweetly. "i love it when you speak korean. it's so fucking sexy."

the last year had been stressful. the dominican job had been way more complex than y/n had expected, and it took a while for han's old crew to warm up to her. it took a while, but eventually she managed to crack dom toretto, and two weeks later, han got down on one knee and asked y/n to marry him.

hence why they were on a yacht off the coast of monaco, the entire thing decked out in fairly lights and tulle.

"if you think tej is bad, you try getting in between letty and those large plastic ribbons on the back of the deck chairs." y/n laughed. "who knew letty ortiz was so serious about weddings?"

she was practically sitting on his lap now, head resting comfortably on his shoulder as the boat rocked back and forth.

han seoul-oh was her home. her safe harbour. she always felt safe in his arms, at his side, even when they were plunging into almost certain danger like they had in the dominican.

"i brought you something." y/n hummed, reaching into the pockets of her shorts and withdrawing the small cardboard packet.

"fake nails?"

"help me put them on? for old time's sake." she passed him the glittery white french tips, no doubt chosen to match her dress for the ceremony tomorrow.

"i can't wait to spend my life with you. and believe me, there will be plenty more manicure mondays."

2014, monterrey, california.

"daddy, where's mommy?"

"i don't think she's feeling well, poppy." han lue frowned, looking over at his daughter, who was perched in her little kiddie chair at the kitchen table. "i'm going to go check on her, okay? stay right here."

how do you explain depression to an infant? poppy jae-i han had been one of the best things to have ever happened to han seoul-oh. but in the almost twenty-four months since their bundle of joy had been born, something had felt off about his wife.

everyone hears about the mental health complications that can come with childbirth, but no mother ever thinks it would be her.

every husband fears it, too.

"y/n, jagi?" han tried to keep his voice level as he eased open the bedroom door. the couple had bought a ranch house in monterrey when they learned they were expecting. it was one of the few things they used their ill-gotten gains as a part of dom's crew for. "poppy's asking for you."

it broke his heart to see his wife like this, hair messed and greasy, red splotches under her eyes from where she had been crying.

"am i a bad mother, seoul-oh?" she asked, voice small. she seemed so tiny and fragile underneath the layers of blankets on the queen bed. "she always seems to cry when i'm around, but never with you. poppy loves you more than she loves me."

"what?" it was all han could do to stop himself from crying as he sat on the bed, gently running his fingers through y/n's hair. "sweetheart, what's brought this on? poppy loves you. you're her mom. she needs you."

"mia makes it look so easy." y/n sniffled, pulling herself up to a sitting position. she's lost weight. not a noticeable amount, or even an unhealthy one, but enough that her husband knows. there are many things that you can hide from the man you share your bed with, but han knows. he knows she's not doing well. "and i'm fucking shit at it, han."

"look at me, pretty girl." han encouraged, reaching for her hands. "you are such a good mother. i know you're struggling right now, and i know you're hurting but you need to know that poppy loves you so much. she was asking about you over breakfast, you know."

"i don't know who i am any more. i've lost my sense of self."

han frowned, brushing a few strands of greasy hair away from her forehead before leaning down and gently kissing her hairline.

"listen, i was talking to brian last night-"

"of course you were fucking talking to brian."

"-and he thinks you should talk to mia. they're passing through town today on their way back from dom and letty's, brian and i are going to take the kids out to the zoo or whatever, and you and mia should do something." he suggested, running his hand comfortingly up and down his lover's back. "go to the mall, get a coffee. i think she could really help you. she's been through this before."

y/n inhaled shakily, pulling away from han. "what if something happens to poppy and i'm not there?"

"y/n, everything is going to be okay. i promise. brian will be there, the kids will be in great hands. go do something with mia, darling. find yourself again, yeah?"

"okay." y/n nodded, still clutching his hand like it was her lifeline. "i can do that."

"mommy?" a small voice called. poppy had managed to get herself all the way from the kitchen to the master bedroom, where han had left the door ajar just in case poppy needed them. "are you okay?"

"oh, sweetheart, come here." y/n said, tears beginning to fall.

because how could she ever think that her little bundle of joy didn't love her as much as she did? poppy waddled over to the bed, and han hefted the toddler onto the mattress so that y/n could pull her close.

"you know that mummy loves you, right?"

"yes. i love you too, mommy."

"see." han smiled. "you're going to be okay. we're going to get through this."

2017, monterrey, california.

"i genuinely can't comprehend that roman pearce is getting married."

the family of three was walking down the nail care aisle at walmart, a welcome addition to their weekly shopping trip as y/n scanned the packages on the rack for a set of acrylic nails.

han laughed, one hand around his wife's waist and his chin on her shoulder as he leaned against the shopping cart. "it's not going to last. they may be getting married on saturday but i bet that by christmas roman is going to call and tell us she asked for a divorce."

"don't be so cynical." y/n laughed, kissing her husband softly before holding up a small white box. "do these go with my dress?"

"they'll go with anything, babe." han said, moving to whisper in her ear “they'd look even better wrapped around my c-"

"i want nails like mom's!" poppy han's shout cut him off, the little girl looking at the array of disney princess nails on the lower shelves.

laughing, han knelt down next his daughter, one hand on her shoulder. "which one do you want, princess? do you want frozen, tinker bell? mulan?"

"i want the ariel ones." poppy smiled, reaching for the pack of little mermaid nails. han helped her get them off the hook before lifting her up, carrying the six year old securely against his chest.

"seoul-oh, she's like six, you're spoiling her by carrying her all the time." y/n laughed, dropping both packs of nails in the cart.

"what, she's not heavy, sweetheart." han grins. "besides, i have to stay in shape somehow."

y/n rolls her eyes. "sweetie, it's bold of you to assume that you were ever in shape. but i loved you anyways, didn't i?"

back at home, they settled in the living room, near the large bay window. y/n watched contentedly from the kitchen as han sat at the coffee table across from poppy, delicately brushing nail glue across his daughter's tiny nails, dropping the glittery little mermaid nails on top.

it had taken a while to get to this peaceful, quiet part of their life, but y/n han was so glad that they had made it. that she had seoul-oh and that she had little poppy.

"be careful with your nails, they might come off. now, go get your homework done before we make the pizza, okay?"

poppy scurried off down the hall to her room, and y/n padded across the shag carpet, looping her arms around her husbands neck as she gave him a kiss.

"i'm so lucky, you know that. i'm happy and healthy again, and i have you and poppy. that's everything i could ever ask for." she said softly, resting her head against han's chest as the man tilted his head down, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head.

of course they both missed the good old days. the days of adrenaline and adventure. but brian and mia had left, and then y/n and han, and soon after was letty and dom. they were moving on with their lives, a chapter of glitz and glamour coming to a close.

"i want another one."

y/n froze, pulling back from her husband. "what?"

"i want another baby. and i know what we went through last time, and i fully understand if you're not willing to take that chance again, but god, y/n, i want a big family with you." han explained, holding his wife's hands. "poppy is growing up. soon she's going to be too cool for dear old dad. and then there will be boys-"

"or she'll be like you," y/n cuts him off with a laugh. "in which case there will be lots and lots of girls."

"god help us all. my little girl is going to break a lot of hearts one day."

"and you want another one?"

"honestly? yeah, i do."

"then i guess we'd better start trying. multiplication isn't that hard, so poppy's gonna be looking for us within the next hour." y/n hummed, kissing her lover softly.

han smiled against her lips, hands slipping into her jeans pockets to cop a feel of his wife's ass. "i only need half that."

TAGS:

@libraryofloveletters @magnummagnussen @mignonricciardo @sidcrosbyspuck @cartierre @monzabee @scuderiamh @daydreamingleclerc @diorleclerc @oconso @cl16version

[hero-israel]

As a black person I actually find the logic of many Zionists to be audacious.

My people were sold and kidnapped. We were enslaved for hundreds of years. We had the most despicable things happen to us. I’m sure you may relate, we were put into breeding camps, they used our parts to make clothes and furniture, allegedly they ate us, they tortured us, etc.

There is more than enough proof I am indigenous to Africa hell I found and reconnected with the family one of my ancestors was taken from. I am very lucky.

At no point have I ever thought about going to West Africa and taking the land back, stealing property, imprisoning, and murdering people who’ve lived there for centuries and still live there today. Even though there’s a possibility that they’ve participated in the selling of at least one of my ancestors.

Just because I can trace my heritage there doesn’t suddenly mean I have a claim on the land. I have heard so many Zionist say they belong there more than Palestinians, that there claim on the land is stronger. Maybe it’s not all of them but it is enough to be concerning.

Also bring up Liberia if you want. We didn’t ask for that.

This is a fair critique and it brings up one of the most important aspects of Zionism, and of all Jewish life in the modern era and from now on: that Zionism was always morally RIGHT, but it did not have to be morally NECESSARY.

For decades there was a raging, controversial, legitimately two-sided intracommunity debate over Zionism, like nothing you see among Jews today, memorably portrayed in Chaim Potok's novel "The Chosen" (and subsequent film version). The Reform Jewish Movement, our largest denomination, was governed by an explicitly anti-Zionist platform for over 50 years..... until they changed their minds in 1937. The Jewish people always trace their heritage to Eretz Yisrael, always could claim a rightful place there - but things should never have been allowed to get bad enough, fast enough, that in the truest sense their only choice was to create a state of Israel or die.

As early as 1920, Hitler said his goal was total extermination of the Jews. Nobody cared. America sealed its gates to Jewish immigrants in 1924. Germany began visibly prepping for genocide around 1935, again nobody cared. At Evian 1938 - "the great betrayal" - pretty much every powerful state in the world acknowledged that the Jews were about to be wiped out, and knowing that, refused to allow refugees to enter (except for the Dominican Republic, the mensches). England bowed to Arab terrorism and sealed off immigration to Mandate Palestine - which was a violation of international law under the League of Nations but, again, nobody cared. Nobody, not one single country, fought to protect the Jews or to help them escape. The Allies couldn't be bothered to bomb the tracks into Auschwitz, but they would heroically sink refugee ships. After the war, 250,000 Jews lingered miserably in displaced persons camps for YEARS, with not one single country being willing to admit them, and in nearly all cases there being nothing to return to anyway. There were still Jews kept in Dachau, guarded by Germans, until 1951.

From a 1945 report to Truman: "Many Jewish displaced persons … are living under guard behind barbed-wire fences … including some of the most notorious concentration camps … had no clothing other than their concentration camp garb…. Most of them have been separated three, four or five years and they cannot understand why the liberators should not have undertaken immediately the organized effort to re-unite family groups…. Many of the buildings … are clearly unfit for winter…. [Author contrasted these conditions with the relative normal life led by the nearby German populations and wondered at the contrast] ...We appear to be treating the Jews as the Nazis treated them except that we do not exterminate them. They are in concentration camps in large numbers under our military guard instead of S.S. troops. One is led to wonder whether the German people, seeing this, are not supposing that we are following or at least condoning Nazi policy...."

Those who attempted to return to their former communities were routinely murdered (seen at the end of "Maus"). There was a massacre of Holocaust survivors in Kiev, Ukraine in September 1945, another in Kielce, Poland in July 1946.

The Jews saw Palestine as their only hope, because it was. And when they saw their enemies there were led by actual red-handed Nazi war criminals, and heard that the stakes were once again their total genocide? Well, that's when you fight.... damn hard... to build the state and the military that will, FOR ONCE, protect you.

You talk about "At no point in my life have I considered claiming a part of Africa and fighting the people who I find there". Well - what if it was extremely obviously that or death?

A popular saying among Jews: "Israel was not created because there was a Holocaust. The Holocaust was created because there was no Israel." It's true - but it should not have been necessary to have an Israel to prevent the Holocaust. The rest of the world should have done that, and they didn't so much fail in preventing it as much as they succeeded in enabling it. You are correct to say that African-Americans did not ask for Liberia. The concept was made up by white people to try to get blacks out of America (though it gained popularity with black people after "milestones" of new cruelty such as the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act, and I believe Marcus Garvey is well-liked to this day). Well, Jews did not ask to have no government in the world grant us equality or defend us from genocide. We did not ask to have no choice. And we do not ask for our response to the latest attempted genocide to be condemned by the same nations that enabled the last several.

Today about 90% of Jews are Zionists. Not just out of the everlasting moral principle, but because of the life-or-death reality that when we needed ANY OTHER OPTION TO WORK, NOTHING DID. And since then, there has been even clearer demonstration of the tenuousness of Jewish survival and the depths of inhuman hatred we face from our enemies, as the 3,000-year-old Mizrahi Jewish civilization was successfully uprooted and purged from dozens of countries (which had already been oppressing and massacring them long before Zionism) as collective racial revenge against Israel. The mere fact that that was logistically possible - that it could be done, quickly and repeatedly - speaks worlds about the normalized culture of eliminationism surrounding us. What do you really think are the chances that African-Americans could be altogether physically purged from the USA or some of its states? Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan, and Eritrea finished their Jews within the last 5 years.

As "critics of Israel" have made it extremely clear that all Jews worldwide remain legitimate targets, that all "colonizers" (unquestionably including Americans like me) "deserve it" ("it" to include infanticide, rape, kidnapping, and mass murder), and as America visibly decays into algorithmic racist authoritarianism and climatic desperation.... you should not expect that 90% to change.

[totaldramaweb]

ALEJANDRO BURROMUERTO CASUAL HC'S.

• he tans weekly on the family's tanning machine (in a speedo, yes). twice a week on winter since he gets paler on cold.

• he always smells like cologne. even sweating, he stills smells very dense. he's always re-applying deodorant/perfume.

• used to shave his whole body with laser at the spa. after the volcano incident, he didn't grow body hair for a long time, so when It grew back he just let himself become hairy (only bodily).

• had a lot of hiperfixations growing up. he didn't quite have any friends so he used most of his time obsessed on a certain activity until he reached perfection, then dropped it to hop on another.

• he prefers reptiles over dogs or cats. but he likes dogs tho, he claims they are loyal and follow blindly.

• José lost one of his pets, never had any other due fear, yet he dreams of having a snake.

• he is a terrible joker. he can do a lot of things but joking is not one of them. he only remembers some jokes of his dad's comedy book he readed back on his childhood.

• he's a great cooker. he always made his mom company when she cooked dinner, he learnt from her.

• he has a guilty pleasure on writting, mainly poetry, and he's great at it. he actually takes It seriously and treat other themes beyond romance or clichés, perhaps even has a diary of his writings.

• he doesnt like movies because he claims he "doesnt have time for them" (canon on his tdwt blog introduction) but this actually raised among his dad telling him that, claiming he should use his time for better like studying or getting better at something. plus, everytime he wanted to see one, José would push him from the TV and take It for himself.

• he actually rarely has genuine fun. the only fun he gets is usually from his recreational activities, and even so, he concentrates more on being perfect on them rather than enjoy. and he does a lot, maybe to avoid being alone with his thoughts for too long before they overwhelm him.

• has photographic memory, and it's very good at remembering faces and places.

• he did just judge his babysitters until tears only to get some attention from his parents. he didn't want to be taken care of, he wanted to prove he's able to take care of himself, like José who didn't need one. he also just wanted to be looked at by them, to spend time with his parents instead of old ladies and annoying teens.

• they speak full spanish at home, he took english lessons since his first years, but didn't really used it until he moved to Canada.

• due his dad being a diplomat, he lived his first years on Spain before finding himself moving from country to country. Like Peru, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Japan, and many more until Canada. His dad worked at the embajadas of Spain in many countrys doing comercy deals between countrys and etc, he had to stay for long times in such countrys and his kids and wife following along wherever the head of the family went. Alejandro had a hard time doing friends on his new schools, eventually all the changes and the mindset he grew leaded him to be who he is, remaining friends is still a hard duty for him. He learnt that everyone leaves and due that he could at least get what he wants from them and It wouldn't be that wrong, he always dissappear from peoples lives and it's something he can't control. Hello, Drama Machine...

- 🕯️

[jackiequick]

🎶 Fast & Furious OC (+ a long story) 🏁

—

Valentina “Val” Toretto

Full Name: Valentina Toretto

Nicknames: Val, Vally, Babygirl, Shorty, Baby Toretto, Quick, Ankle Biter

Age: 19 in The Fast & The Furious (2001), 26 in Fast & Furious (2009) , 28 in Fast Five (2011) , 31 in Fast & Furious 6 (2013) , 33 in Furious 7 (2015) , 37 in Fate of The Furious (2017) and etc.

Family: It’s a very huge one! But let’s focus on the biological ones and the in laws. Mother & Father dead but siblings are alive!

Big Brother —> Dom Toretto

Big Sister —> Mia Toretto

Brother in law —> Brian O’Conner

Sister in law —> Letty Ortiz

—

Relationship status: Single for most of the time movies but ends up in a few relationships later on 😉

Best Friends/Family: Roman and Tej, Letty, Hector, Brian, Vince, Han, Leo, Santos, Gisele, Elena, Hobbs, Deckard and the list goes on! She mets a lot of the crew as the years go by.

Vehicle of choice: Honestly she’ll ride with anyone or anything, doesn’t matter the car as long as there’s space to move around. But she love a jet black motorcycle ride and adores a Honda coupe cars because it’s slick small style and storage space in the back (it was her very first car ever too!).

Job on the team: One of the drivers. If not, she stays behind to do a analysis of the case being done (teaming up with Mia to do a lot of it) but she is also a bit of a fighter. She’s got a strong punch to her and will lead a chase downtown if needed!

-

Background information, facts and etc

In 2001, she met Brian O’Conner on the beachside due to sweet charming looks across from each other and a few days introduced herself to him properly. It was a start to a beautiful friendship, but Val would she had a crush on the darling blonde. Then she got the chance to introduce Brian to her sister, Mia and sparks flew! God, she teased her sister about it so much!

Dom wasn’t very happy about it, but invited Brian into the crew but Vince wasn’t having any of it which cause problems between Val and him. Claiming that Brian was a low leveled cop! Val wasn’t pleased with that idea but it later became true, as Brian revealed himself to Mia and Val that he in fact, is a cop. Things happened, causing the 3 of them to save their friends and family from being total waste in the highway and Brian and Dom fought then raced off to find revenge for a death of a friend. Finding plenty of respect for each other.

In 2009. Val, Dom and Letty went to the Dominican Republic 🇩🇴 for a few jobs, find some peace and quiet, along adventures meeting more family members as well! However Letty died trying to clear Dom’s name with Brian and Val’s help, resulting in a return to the US. Along with a new heist and a return to old faces! Brian and Mia reunited, rekindling their romance, Dom met a new member of their team Giselle in Mexico 🇲🇽 , Val reunited with her sister and future brother in law and they tried to frame the criminal gang in the process. However Dom’s name wasn’t cleared yet but they decided to break him out and start a new lifestyle on the run, the best they can.

—

In 2011! 2 years on the road and running around until they landed in Brazil 🇧🇷 and still on the FBI most wanted list for prisoners of the USA 🇺🇸. They played low and trying not to draw too much attention to themselves while Dom headed out to do jobs, Mia, Val and Brian stayed protecting each other with Vince help (since he lived in Brazil with his wife and baby boy). Mia was noticed by Vince’s wife and her sister Val one night that she was off and a little sick, she was pregnant with Brian’s baby! After being chased down by Hobbs, Elena and their crew around the countryside and across rooftops, Mia revealed her pregnancy to the small group of 4 saying they have to stick together now especially with their families about to get bigger, Val couldn’t agreed more coming up with a plan as the boys agreed taking the plan one huge step further.

Dom, Brian, Val and Mia planned a huge heist to getaway with a safe full of money in one of Brazil’s bank houses and a team involved, calling everyone they knew. Dom called Han and Giselle, Val called Leo and Santos, Brian called up Tej and Roman while Mia found the perfect safe spot to meet up, eat, sleep and do business! Everyone met up after a few days and the plan was set in motion. Roman flirted with Val while Tej compliment the girl during the work, it was all fun and games, even Mia and Brian teased the trio. They whole group raced, almost got caught many times by Hobbs even earning his respect eventually, they all had plenty of fun, prepared and trained for the heist.

Taking turns for certain roles, joking around so fun, the job becomes like a crazy fun stunt. Val, Mia and Tej were behind the steel safe to replace with a special handprint to break into and switch off, and keeping track of the views and incoming threats during the city heist while everyone else stayed in positions driving alongside one another. They thought they wouldn’t make it out of there alive but they did! As they all were able to steal $100 million dollars in a bank vault to share on individual accounts.

—

Everyone went they’re own separate ways with their earnings from the $100 million dollar, using it for whatever they wanted. Valentina used hers to go traveling around the world, a long vacation for at least longer than two months. She stayed first in Brazil a little longer and went back to Dominican Republic. She went to Italy, Paris, Rome and of course flew to see her family. Seeing Elena and Dom who started a relationship a while back and saw her pregnant sister and Brian on the beachside.

However when she was in Italy on the beachside, sipping a cold freshly opened beer and eating a plate of fruits, she met someone. “Is there seat taken, miss?” Asked the man with a slight raspy voice and a gentle inviting grin. Valentina pulled down her sunglasses to get a better look at the tall man who stood next to her in white button down exposing his tone arms, dark sunglasses, wearing white shorts and no shoes as his feet dipped into the warmth of the sand. She smiled, “Not at all, take a seat.”

He nodded smiling and took a seat beside the woman on the long chair, “Thank you, darling.” Valentina pulled out another beer offering it to the man who took it with kindness and gratitude. She smiled softly, “It’s the least I can do.” “What are you doing here for?” “Hmm, vacation. I needed a break from it all and maybe need a meet few new faces. You?”

The man smiled taking in her natural tan and glow that radiated from her, a welcoming warmth from her as she saw dressed in a dark brown bikini top with brown shorts to match. A nice contact from his own closest of clothes he brought for travels. It took him a moment before he answered, “Work. I came for a job with a client who needed me to help him. Now I’m taking in the gorgeous view.” Valentina blushed looking down at her drink in hand and smiled, “Before you start, you got a name?” “Deckard Shaw, love.”

Valentina smiled holding out a hand to shake in which Deckard gladly took, bringing his lips up to her knuckles gently and said, “Who you got a name, love?” She smiled softly, “Valentina Toretto but everyone calls me, Val.” “Then you call me, Deck.” “Nice to meet you, Deck.” “Very nice to meet you, Val.”

The pair talked the whole afternoon though on the beach, sipping beers and martinis while snacking on fruits and nuts. Deckard even offer to buy her dinner, in which she obliged as they went to the hotel to change into suitable clothes for the restaurant near the beautiful beaches on Italy as they ate. Deckard smiled, “How long are you staying for?” Val shrugged, “For as long as i want.” “There has to be a timeframe there, love.” “A week, dear.” 

Deckard smiled, “That’s more like it. I’ll be leaving in a few days but I’ll glad love to take you around.” Valentina grinned, “I’ll love that, very much. When do we start?” “You’ll have to ask me that again the morning, after breakfast.” “Let’s enjoy tonight then.” The two shared a few glasses of champagne as they enjoyed the rest of their night together. Heading back to the hotel room to continue their lovely conversations and take in the lovely view of the place.

—

The morning was something else to say the least. Valentina woke up underneath the white covers in a empty bed as the morning daylight of the balcony shined though the curtains. She smiled softly and blushed with pinky cheeks looking around, “Morning, lovely..” Deckard stepped out of the bathroom shirtless having woken up less than a few minutes earlier as he leaned down to press against her lips, “Good morning, beautiful..how’d you sleep?”

Val giggled ignoring his questions, “Your a bad influence Deck. I barley do anything like this…” Deck chuckled leaning towards the headboard of the bed, “Neither do i..But it’s vacation, i enjoyed it and I didn’t hear you complain about it.” “I blame the music playing last night from the balcony.” “Yeah, sure you do. We can blame the music.”

The next few days were a blast to be having together, enjoying dinner, running for shelter after some fallen rain, swimming in water after sharing drinks on the beach, walking down the streets of Italy and sadly it all came to a close. Both went their separate ways, hoping to keep in touch for the next time they’re on vacation, however neither of them knew if and when they would see each other again…

—

In 2013, another issue flown to the surface as Hobbs announced a new heist to be taken place with the crews help. Along with Letty’s return, she’s alive and working for the other team. So plans were made and both crew came aggressively against the threat known as Owen Shaw and his teammates, Val and Mia were kidnapped however thankfully they were able to save them, bring Letty home and stop the criminal case of Shaw and his crew. Everyone went back home to their lives together as a family unit once again, going on leave for work and vacation time of course.

—

Then 2015 came around and everything turned upside down. Valentina was on a small break from working with Tej as his co-worker and friend at the garage, as she flew down to Mexico when she saw Deckard again. The two smiled softly and decided to join each other on a small vacation from it all, until Deckard was told about his brother being in the hospital, Valentina didn’t know much about his family and neither did he know much of hers. Valentina was also called in by own brother to help take care of things at home. The pair went to take care of their own family members. Dom and Val were helping Mia, Brian and their son Jack with moving boxes to the van, when a sudden package arrived at the front door, just as Dom went to open it a call came in saying he was coming for Dom and his family..the house was blown to pieces. It was Deckard Shaw, as he was after the family for revenge on his brother and also on the hunt for a job to do.

Val nor Brian didn’t know much or that it was Deckard until later on during a chase in the woods. Which lead to Roman being a huge scared for jumping out a plane and Val being stuck in the car into a plane with him. Tej joked, “What happened Roman I thought you were strong and afraid of anything? This was your stupid idea!” Roman barked back, “Shut up, Tej! Since when do y’all actually listen to me?! I’mma stay here with Val. Y’all go ahead.”

Val started to fight back both of her idiot friends and eventually taking the wheel, with Tej’s help who controlled a switch to the car, as they road onto the streets of the highway in the woods. As they were driving behind the crew, out of nowhere Deckard appeared locking eyes with Valentina before speeding off behind towards Dom’s car. To say she was confused and pissed was a understatement!

Shit went down afterwards as they had to save a few kidnapped family and friends, cracking the codes to a few systems to find Deckard and also help their new member recruited, Ramsey. Again, Valentina was stuck with Roman undercover! She loved the man to death but god damn she wanted to something punch him for being stupidly loud and such.

Deckard arrived in a elevator as he stanched her up with him yelling, “What the bloody hell are you doing here?!” Valentina yelled back, “I swear to god—Did you know about this?!” “That your brother hurt my brother?! Yes i found out a week ago, darling! I didn’t know you were involved in any of this..you knew about he was my brother?” “No! There wasn’t any connection between you guys and your last name are pretty common, I’m sorry i didn’t respond or know about that. You can’t blame me for this…”

He looked down holding his rather large gun in one hand and grabbed her hand gently with the other, pressing a little kiss to her knuckles. He sighed, “Promise me, you’ll stay safe…?” She sighed, “..yes, I will.” Valentina slapped Deckard across the face before walking out of the elevator to play her role with Roman.

It was fine until shit hit the fan again as Dom and Brian came out in a fire engine red sports car, Letty came flying in after fighting a Russian guard and Deckard came in shooting the place up. Roman grabbed her by the waist, picking Val up and ran off to safely as they screamed, “Y’all are the reason I’m always on vacation! You drive me rut sometimes!”

—

Hours later, Dom and the crew found Deckard and his so called friends in a old warehouse as another fight broke out one another one, it could’ve made someone’s head spin. Dom and Val even got into a huge rushed and heated argument about their own family’s safety and The Shaw Family future after being caught, that was slowly settled down once they found ground in California. No one was happy, however they had a job to do for keeping Ramsey safe.

It was settled team A was to keep Ramsey safe teamed up in cars, playing TAG, team B who was Brian was dislocating the connection between cars and internet for they can’t be tracked by any other means necessary, and team C was fighting against Deckard Shaw. Correction, Dom was fighting him! Midway through the search and play of TAG with Ramsey, Valentina switched cars with Roman and Tej, racing off to the building that held Brian working on the power grid. That was her good friend, brother-in-law and nephew’s daddy of course she was gonna get her ass to that building and help kick some ass with him! And they did just that, Val and Brian kicked ass while trying their hardest to quickly finishing the adjustment on the power grid for Tej and Ramsey.

They were on the rooftop connecting the wires and directing the connection toward there friends when out of the corner of her, Val saw it loud and clear. A block away, two cars rivaling against each other with pounding of the groundwork shaking behind them and the sounds of shouting was heard. The pair raced off towards the building and blocking out a chasing threats toward them. Brian turned his head to watch running as he started yelling in his walkie-talkie at the crew as the building there the cars where started to collapse on itself with the men in it.

Cars went flying! Val wasted no time as she appeared with Letty and Hobbs at the scene, Deckard and Dom battling it out until both were on the groundwork on the streets. Suddenly it was dust and rumble in the air, no one can see as more helicopters with explosive waves of shock…Dom was out cold and Deck was gone hiding in the back of the it all, seeing all the looks at their faces. Deckard sighed as from afar he saw Valentina’s upset glares. Brian tried CPR on Dom as Letty sobbing screamed to get off of him, Val started crying in Roman’s arms as Tej held Ramsey while Hobbs looked at the crime scene in sorrow, noticing Deckard but waited for a moment. Letty sobbed begging and hoping, mumbling something only of of the group hear until Dom finally woke up.

—

A few weeks or so past, everyone started getting situated back home, rebuilding the home everyone knew and loved to have a simple BBQ. Mr. Nobody who hired them originally settled on calling them when needed for missions, Hobbs placed Deckard behind bars threatening him strongly. The two were at each other’s neck, Valentina smirked watching it all, pissed off at what Deckard done and how far both men went to end up where they are today. Deckard looked down unable to face her until after a while on standing in his cell block, he screwed up and tried getting revenge for his family, knowing they both care deeply about family and would do anything for it. The pair talked with Hobbs standing by protectively before it was settled down to not see each other for a long time…

She returned home to see her family with grins and smiles, kissing her nephew and talking with Mia as Dom and Brian joked about god knows what. Before they all headed out to beachside for some sun with the rest of their family. They spent hours just enjoying themselves, until a moment of peace and love came as they looked around. Roman, Tej, Ramsey, Dom, Val and Letty all watched as Brian, Mia and their son, Jack played along the coast of the water in pure joy. It was beautiful, Dom told them he will be back and drove off, Brian noticed Dom drove off with a grin and raced off behind him to join his best friend, his brother, his family.

—

There is more story to be told of this crew and plenty to be written still with the road ahead full of possibilities. I might continue it, who knows? Do Fate of The Furious? 👀 Expand on characters and backgrounds who knows.

Did you like it? What did you think about it? Let’s discuss! Remember to like, comment and share! ✨

Tags: @gaminggirlsstuff @t-nd-rfoot @mandylove1000 @topgun-imagines @sherlkore @meirafireshield @levijeanqueen @hangmanbrainrot @drspencereidhotch @gcthvile @missstrawbs2001 @rooster-84 and the list goes on

[universalcowboyclown2006]

Florida's relationship with his family (aka: the ex colonies of the spanish empire and Spain):

(old post that was on the drafts)

I wanted to do this since I knew that Florida used to be a spanish colony (and it was when I was on the countryhumans and statehumans fandom and the pandemic).

Well, let's just say that Florida's existence usually is forgotten by his "siblings" (sorry for that, Flo) because he's mostly perceived as an inmature, kept, dyslexic and having a younger brother's attitude mostly of the time. Otherwise, Florida also doesn't have a close relationship with them besides Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and mostly all the caribean countries because of the distance and diplomatic stuff due his "siblings" are all or almost all independent countries with their issues and governments.

When Florida was a colony, he was neglected but not too much thanks to Mexico (yes, here Mexico is kinda nice but also had to mature fast to help to look after his "siblings" and end up with a generational trauma which Texas end up being a victim too), Cuba and Puerto Rico but yet neglected by Spain; usually passing his time playing alone and talking with gators. That made on him a more reserved and "calm" personality (he stills being hyperactive), submissive to Spain and loving her as his mom (thing that Spain TOTALLY doesn't deserve) no mattering what; in actual terms could be he was afraid of her abandoning and/or hurting him.

When the rise of independence in latinoamerica started, he felt he was being set aside by everyone in his family (Also Philippines and Guam felt the same as Florida but they were used to it), so he decided to do the same; get independence from Spain. He got a little help from Venezuela (West Florida Republic reference) but Spain didn't accept it in right terms and after the try of independence from Florida but before she sell him to the US, she punish him and...

???

The rest is unknown because...

Florida doesn't like to talk about it and possibly forgot it.

So...

He has mommy issues (daddy issues if you see Spain as a man)? Yes

And the rest of spanish colonies too (including my country of course)? Yes

And also, he has abandonment issues by the way because... Being honest, some colonies didn't give a shit if Florida existed or not or if he was dead or alive (that also includes my country, sorry), they were minding their own bussines and even didn't know his existence.

But they've known what punishment did Spain to him but they don't talk about it because for them it was traumatic to know and see the consequences of the punishment for Florida

[weirdestbooks]

Hermanos (Wattpad | Ao3 | CH HHM Oneshots)

“Rico, do you remember when Padre used to get mad at us for saying we were siblings?” Cuba asked one evening as he and Puerto Rico slowly walked down the streets of the latter’s capital. Puerto Rico was his uncle on his Padre’s side but on the side of his native father’s…Puerto Rico was his half-brother. It was a strange set of circumstances that Padre had hated more than anything.

“How can I not? He never went after me, but his anger was loud enough that we knew it, even though he played nice in front of my padre,” Puerto Rico joked before looking back at Cuba, concern in his eyes. “What’s this about?” Cuba didn’t answer, and Puerto Rico sighed. 

“Cubito…” he began warningly.

“Don’t Cubito me. I’m taller,” Cuba said, trying his best to keep a smile on his face. Puerto Rico raised a skeptical eyebrow, and Cuba’s resolve crumbled. “I’ve just been thinking about things recently. Padre’s gone; you’re a United Statian now, and I’m going to be a new country soon. I…I feel like so much has changed, and I…I don’t want to lose what’s left of my family.”

“Cuba, if you think being a country is going to stop me from being your big brother, I’m going to start thinking that independence made you stupid,” Puerto Rico deadpanned. Cuba stopped in his tracks, gaping at the smaller colony.

“Excuse me?” He asked, startled. Puerto Rico smiled before speaking.

“You heard me. That’s a stupid thing to say. I’m always going to be with you, and I can tell you now that your brother feels the same way. Florida was never hiding from you. He was hiding from New Spain and the expectations of perfection that haunted him. But not from you, you know that.”

Cuba knew that. It was one of the first things Puerto Rico had said to him when they reunited, that he was sorry for leaving Cuba behind. Florida had sworn on his immortality that Cuba would always be his family, be his hermanito.

It was easy to be told that. It was harder to believe it.

“I know I’m just…I’ve never been alone before. I’ve wanted this for so, so long, and I’m not going to give it up, but…I never realized how lonely it was going to be,” Cuba sighed.

“We’re not going to leave you…we’re just going to be somewhere else. A new house, a different country. But come on, Cubito, you know how big this family is and how many countries make it up. Is Dominican Republic any less your aunt because she’s independent and adopted?” Puerto Rico asked. Cuba shook his head.

“Of course not!” he said. Aunt Dominican Republic had struggled with her place in the family due to the nature of her adoption and the nature of the restoration of her independence, but she never stopped being family, always sending letters and remaining in contact, even apologizing to Abuelo for giving him false hope that their family would be reunited again.

“Then why is it different when it’s you and not her?” Puerto Rico asked. Cuba paused, processing that question. Why was it different? Why did he feel like his entire family was going to leave him as soon as he became independent?

“I don’t…I don’t know,” Cuba eventually said. Puerto Rico smiled, soft and sweet, so reminiscent of the foggy memories Cuba had of their native father.

“We’ll be there for you. I promise. We’ll write, and we’ll visit, and we will ensure that you never feel alone. Understood?” Puerto Rico asked. Cuba smiled, pushing aside tears. 

“Perfectly.”

[darkcrowprincess]

Lunter date ideas?

To me they don't seem like couple who likes croweds or big flashy dates. They like private low key dates. Intimate.

Picnic dates at the park or somewhere private they like. Someplace where Hunter can relax and watch the birds and no one minds Luz talking so much so loud.

Movie dates at theaters. But only when its not crowded. They hate going to the movies when a popular movie comes out. So they usually go during a Monday or Tuesday or early in the mornings.

They do a lot of at home dates. Especially when they rent their first apartment together and get their first house. Movies on the couch. Cooking together at home. Or ordering out.

Occasionally they go out with their friends at clubs/karaoke bars/restaurants. But only with their friends. If not they stay at home. This is the most public dates they do. Hunter only really likes dancing with Luz. Sometimes though he just likes watching her dance with their friends and he's usually the designated driver. He drinks alcohol rarely.

Sometimes they like going to bookstores. Getting a book and than head to a small fastfood place to eat and talk about their books.

The most glamorous date I could picture them doing is Luz taking Hunter to Dominican Republic. Showing where her family came from, introducing him to her grandmother.

But over all they have small quiet dates. Especially when they first start dating because I usually picture their relationship a secret. After they both break up with Willow and Amity. They're home bodies and are perfectly fine with that.

Especially love the bookstore idea, I love to pretend they make a game of finding certain books. They even start their own small library. They love going to thirft stores and old bookshops finding rare finds. Even if they dont have the same taste of genre of books, its one of the many things they share. I imagine them having this cute moment of kissing in between bookshelves.

[richincolor]

New Releases - Week of June 4, 2024

It's pretty amazing, but we're watching for ten different books this week. 

London on My Mind by Clara Alves – Nina Perrotta translator Push

Sixteen-year-old Dayana has always dreamed of visiting London — to walk along the Thames, take pictures outside Buckingham Palace, and maybe even get a glimpse of Arthur, Prince of Wales, whose marriage has been all over tabloids. But the trip of her dreams turns into a royal nightmare when her mother passes away. Now, Day must leave Rio de Janeiro to live with her estranged father and his new family in London.

As it turns out, the U.K. isn’t exactly Day’s cup of tea. She struggles to forgive her father for walking out on her and her mom all those years ago; fights with her stepsister constantly; detests her stepmother; and she can’t even see One Direction in concert because they’ve been broken up for ages. All she wants to do is trade the rainy skies of London for the sun and beaches of Rio.

That’s when she runs into the girl of her dreams — literally: The coincidentally named Diana, a witty, funny, redhead who was in the middle of . . . escaping Buckingham Palace? Something isn’t right here, but it makes Diana all the more alluring. As time passes, and the two girls grow closer, Day can’t help but wonder if there is more than a little truth to the rumors surrounding Prince Arthur — and if Diana might be involved somehow. Is it all in her head, or could Day be caught up in a real-life royal scandal?

Malicia by Steven dos Santos Page Street YA

Four friends, three days, two lovers, and one very haunted theme park

On a stormy Halloween weekend, Ray enlists his best friends Joaquin, Sofia, and Isabella to help him make a documentary of Malicia, the abandoned theme park off the coast of the Dominican Republic where his mother and brother died in a mass killing thirteen years ago.

But what should be an easy weekend trip quickly turns into something darker because all four friends have come to Malicia for their own

Ray has come to Malicia to find out the truth of the massacre that destroyed his family. Isabella has come to make art out of Ray’s tragedy for her own personal gain. Sofia has come to support her friends in one last adventure before she goes to med school. Joaquin already knows the truth of the Malicia Massacre and he has come to betray his crush Ray to the evil that made the park possible.

With an impending hurricane and horrors around every corner, they all struggle to face the deadly storm and their own inner demons. But the deadliest evil of all is the ancient malignant presence on the island.

Four Eids and a Funeral by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé & Adiba Jaigirdar Feiwel & Friends

Ex-best friends, Tiwa and Said, must work together to save their Islamic Center from demolition, in this romantic story of rekindling and rebuilding by award-winning authors Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé & Adiba Jaigirdar!

Let’s get one thing straight: this is a love story.

These days, Said Hossain spends most of his time away at boarding school. But when his favorite hometown librarian Ms. Barnes dies, he must return home to New Crosshaven for her funeral and for the summer. Too bad being home makes it a lot harder to avoid facing his ex-best friend, Tiwa Olatunji, or facing the daunting task of telling his Bangladeshi parents that he would rather be an artist than a doctor.

Tiwa doesn’t understand what made Said start ignoring her, but it’s probably that fancy boarding school of his. Though he’s unexpectedly staying through the summer, she’s determined to take a page from him and pretend he doesn’t exist. Besides, she has more than enough going on, between grieving her broken family and helping her mother throw the upcoming Eid celebration at the Islamic Center—a place that means so much to Tiwa.

But when the Islamic Center accidentally catches fire, it turns out the mayor plans to demolish the center entirely. Things are still tense between the ex-friends but Tiwa needs Said’s help if there’s any hope of changing the mayor’s mind, and Said needs a project to submit to art school (unbeknownst to anyone). Will all their efforts be enough to save the Islamic Center, save Eid, and maybe save their relationship?

Louder Than Words by Ashley Woodfolk and Lexi Underwood Scholastic Press

This amazing collaboration brings together two inspirational Black artists, NYT bestselling author Ashley Woodfolk and actress Lexi Underwood, for a story about the transformative power of art as protest and its capacity to change the world.

When Jordyn Jones transfers to Edgewood High, it’s her opportunity to forget everything that happened at her old school. To forget what she and her friends did. To forget who she used to be. That was a different person — this is a fresh start. Now she’s someone new, someone better.

Except it’s the very first day of school, and somehow everyone already seems to know who she is. But Jordyn soon finds a group of friends, and she even starts talking to Izaiah, a soccer star who shares her love of art. Life is good. That’s until an anonymous podcast called Tomcat Tea begins revealing humiliating secrets about Edgewood students, ruining their reputations and in some cases their futures. Jordyn and her friends know they have to do something—and this is Jordyn’s chance to prove to herself that she’s changed.

Jordyn’s plan to take down the podcast throws her into the spotlight, and as the momentum builds, so do the risks—because Jordyn has a secret of her own, one that could ruin everything . . . and that a mysterious harasser online is threatening to expose.

With riveting prose, New York Times bestselling author Ashley Woodfolk and acclaimed actress Lexi Underwood balance an insightful depiction of the power of art as protest with asking some of the biggest questions facing teenagers today—in an era where mistakes can be picked over endlessly online, who is worthy of forgiveness? Can someone ever really change?

Barda by Ngozi Ukazu DC Comics

Darkseid is…and life on Apokolips is tough—but then, it is hell after all. And no one knows this better than Barda, Granny Goodness’s right hand warrior.

But Barda has a secret…she is in love. Or she is drawn to the idea of it anyway, whether it be the beauty of a flower, her affection for her closest friend, Aurelie, or the mysterious and fierce enemy warrior, Orion, who is the only match for Barda’s strength.

But when Granny decides Barda is becoming too soft, she assigns Barda a task that might be more than she can handle—to break the seemingly unbreakable Scott Free. And as Barda questions why Scott has such hope and what he might have done to promote such hatred from Granny, she finds herself drawn to him in a way she never expected.

The only thing is, we do not speak of love on Apokolips…

Don’t Wait: Three Girls Who Fought for Change and Won by Sonali Kohli Beacon Press

Follows the stories of three young women activists of color fighting for some of today’s most pressing movements of defunding the police, environmental justice, and arts education

Girls of color have always been on the front lines of the fight for equal rights—to vote, to learn, to live—even when they are the last to benefit from the outcomes of their work. In Don’t Wait , journalist Sonali Kohli follows three teenager’s’ efforts to make their communities safer, healthier places.

Don’t Wait highlights what propelled the teenagers into their activism to their experiences organizing and incorporates Q&As with important lessons from activists who have led the way.

The three teen activists

· Nalleli has lived across the street from an active oil well in South Los Angeles and at age 7, developed serious health problems. Nalleli and her mother take on an oil company and become environmental justice activists.

· Kahlila, following the murder of George Floyd and looking to help fight back, becomes involved with Black Lives Matter movement in Los Angeles and fights to defund school police in one of the largest school police forces in the nation.

· Sonia, an accomplished singer who was grappling with finding an creative outlet in the pandemic, strove to increase access to arts education in schools across California.

As the young women transitioning from teen to adult activists, Don’t Wait reflects the powerful lessons they’ve learned in their activism while building movements in their communities that will continue to live on as they move forward.

Looking for Smoke by K.A. Cobell Heartdrum

Since moving to the Blackfeet Reservation with her parents, Mara Racette has felt like an outsider, taunted by her tight-knit classmates for growing up far away. So, when a local girl includes Mara in a traditional Blackfeet giveaway to honor her missing sister, Mara thinks she’ll finally make some friends.

Instead, a girl from the giveaway, Samantha White Tail, is found murdered.

Because the members of the giveaway group were the last to see Samantha alive, each becomes a person of interest in the investigation:

New-girl Mara, who hated Samantha for being particularly cruel.

Grief-stricken Loren Arnoux, who was Samantha’s best friend until her sister’s disappearance drove a wedge between them.

Class-clown Brody Clark, whose unreciprocated crush on Samantha is an open secret.

And tough-guy Eli First Kill, who has his own complicated history with Samantha.

Despite deep mistrust, the four must now take matters into their own hands and clear their names. Even though one of them may be the murderer.

In her powerful debut novel, Looking for Smoke, author K. A. Cobell (Blackfeet) weaves loss, betrayal, and complex characters into a mystery that will illuminate, surprise, and engage readers until the final word.

Moonstorm (Lancers #1) by Yoon Ha Lee Delacorte Press

In a society where conformity is valued above all else, a teen girl training to become an Imperial pilot is forced to return to her rebel roots to save her world in this adrenaline-fueled sci-fi adventure—perfect for fans of Iron Widow and Skyward !

Hwa Young was just ten years old when imperial forces destroyed her rebel moon home. Now, six years later, she is a citizen of the very empire that made her an orphan.

Desperate to shake her rebel past, Hwa Young dreams of one day becoming a lancer pilot, an elite group of warriors who fly into battle using the empire’s most advanced tech—giant martial robots. Lancers are powerful, and Hwa Young would do anything to be the strong one for once in her life.

When an attack on their boarding school leaves Hwa Young and her classmates stranded on an imperial space fleet, her dreams quickly become a reality. As it turns out, the fleet is in dire need of pilot candidates, and Hwa Young—along with her brainy best friend Geum, rival Bae, and class clown Seong Su—are quick to volunteer.

But training is nothing like what they expected, and secrets—like the fate of the fleet’s previous lancer squad and hidden truths about the rebellion itself—are stacking up. And when Hwa Young uncovers a conspiracy that puts their entire world at risk, she’s forced to make a choice between her rebel past and an empire she’s no longer sure she can trust.

Storm: Dawn of a Goddess by Tiffany D. Jackson Random House

Before she was the super hero Storm of Marvel’s X-Men, she was Ororo of Cairo—a teenaged thief on the streets of Egypt, until her growing powers catch the eye of a villain who steals people’s souls.

Few can weather the storm.

As a thief on the streets of Cairo, Ororo Munroe is an expert at blending in—keeping her blue eyes low and her white hair beneath a scarf. Stealth is her specialty . . . especially since strange things happen when she loses control.

Lately, Ororo has been losing control more often, setting off sudden rainstorms and mysterious winds . . . and attracting dangerous attention. When she is forced to run from the Shadow King, a villain who steals people’s souls, she has nowhere to turn to but herself. There is something inside her, calling her across Africa, and the hidden truth of her heritage is close enough to taste.

But as Ororo nears the secrets of her past, her powers grow stronger and the Shadow King veers closer and closer. Can she outrun the shadows that chase her? Or can she step into the spotlight and embrace the coming storm?

The Love Interest by Helen Comerford Bloomsbury YA

Seventeen-year-old Jenna Ray has just been saved by the world’s newest superhero, Blaze. And, in the eyes of the public, that means one thing: Jenna Ray has been cast as the Love Interest.

No. Not happening. Not if Jenna has anything to say about it (even if Blaze is actually quite sweet and cute).

But her plans to defy the HPA (the Heroics and Power Authority) and turn down this new role are thwarted when the Villains begin to take an interest in her and offer a life-changing proposition; become Blaze’s Love Interest, while avoiding catching feelings for him, to uncover the HPA’s secret plans and find her missing mum.

To make matters even more complicated, just as Jenna starts to embrace her new-found career, she discovers she might be more on the side of the superheroes than she ever imagined …

[starsomens]

So I started following you just few days ago, do you have like 'get to know me' post or something? Or do you prefer not to post things about you? Cause I saw you speak spanish right? Are you from spain? Also campus, what are you studying?🥰

Hello love! I did a small about me like the first time I made this page and it’s right here!

It was as more of an introduction so not much is on it but I can tell you and everyone else some more here :)

So I don’t post a lot of personal information here like my name or face, but I can definitely give some insights!

I do speak Spanish and currently I’m personally studying German! I can read and speak the very minimum basics 😭. my family is from the Dominican Republic, so yes I have the accent, I’m a lil Caribbean girl 🏝️ 😭😭 I’m very in tune and connected with my culture and my family.

I’m also a natural curly head so if I make a self insert fanfic and describe curly hair, that’s why. I’m 21, I’m an October Libra and I sadly stand at only 4’11 or 149.86 cm!

Currently I’m in a community college program where after I get my AS I am transferred to Uni to complete my 4 years with guaranteed admission for my 2 years in community. I’m studying criminal justice, aiming for a lawyer :) the work is hard but interesting

Most times if I don’t post a lot or I’m not active I may be busy with school!

[murcielagatito]

idk how even to start this post bc wile im using miles morales as an example his actual comic race differs and this is the fault of people just straight up not understanding how race in regard to us puerto ricans works. and its all thanks to racism colorism and the depiction and representation of latinos in media

to fully understand this and how deeply we are affected we need to go alllll the way back to the beginning

its 1490whatever and cristobal colon has just discovered the americas. and on one particular island, boriken, he discovers a tribe, the tainos <3. we brought him gold and showed him kindness. and to make a long story short he fucked us over immensely. if we didnt bring meet his gold quota it was chopped off hands. he killed us he raped us he did countless atrocities. we were given a new name: puerto rico “rich port”. most americans know what happened to the many indigenous nations on the mainland but not many are taught about us the indigenous islanders. los tainos. we spanned across el caribe: jamaica, cuba, haiti, dominican republic and puerto rico (where im from!)

but dont get it twisted we didnt just roll over and take it. the very first freedom fighter, cacique (chief) hatuey fought with many other tainos to be liberated. unfortunately, he was executed in 1512 and that was that

one year later, in 1513, what imma call ‘phase two’ began. with him this time, colón brought enslaved africans to work the fields alongside tainos. its over for us. we are miserable, malnourished, and theres no escape. and as one does when youre live and work and die together, you love together. and love we did!

everyone who lived in puerto rico loved and loved and every combination possible of taino, african, and spaniard was born. and this has continued for 500 years. a caste was created. and that caste still hurts and affects us to this day. because all it was is colorism and racism. and after seeing the horrid takes about latinos in the spiderverse fandom and beyond…. well here we are now because somebodys gotta say it

but hellbaby? why did you have to add all the history stuff?because the way miles’ family was portrayed could have been awesome representation for many afrolatinos. and they fumbled big time. its not bad representation so dont twist my words. it just could have been better

the representation of latino families in hollywood has always been a bit…. stereotypical. and not just sterotypical but homogenized and caricaturized. anyone remember george lopez (the show)? when someone thinks about latinos NOW, the household names are pedro pascal, gina rodriguez, or oscar isaac. pale people!!! and then as fame works, jenna ortega and all the other pasty latina biddies are who rise to fame and household name status. everyone recognizes them ofc

but what about gina torres, laz alonso, rosie perez, judy reyes, tatyana ali, selenis leyva, amara la negra and many more? how many of these actors can you recognize from name alone? did you know theyre all afrolatino? (and did you know theyre in extemely well known movies and tv?)

how many stories in television do you know in this day and age that have afrolatino characters whose latinidad isnt ignored? i can name one off the top of my head. monse from on my block. a show revolving latinos that was relentlessly made fun of. like i get it its a comedy and its funny and fun. but latinos may as well be synonymous with getting laughed at at this point and we are soooooo fucking tired of it

it all boils down to one simple message. the erasure of black and indigenousness from the latino community. “miles is latino because his mom is latina” “miles is black and latino” its not something you can put into two separate labels. miles is a black latino. he is afrolatino. and that means a lot of things for a lot of different people but until you can understand that black people can also just be latino we will always be stuck in this horrible era of people assuming that afrolatinos cant just literally be black hispanics…

when miles morales was first announced to be the protagonist of spiderverse so many rasict ass latinos were upset. “why does an afrolatino have to be the first representation we get of a latino spiderman?” and many other things like that were said about him. “well the reason hes latino is only because of his mom” and just like that, the knowledge of the existence of black people that have been latino for centuries has gone down the drain. a new (old) misconception was brought back to the surface and popularized. and its gutwrenching and heartbreaking and horrible. black latinos exist and miles morales is afropuertoriqueño

there are so many nuances when it comes to race and latinodad that ppl just dont bother learning more about and how racism and colorism plays into it. and it has had many negative effects to how real life afrolatinos and indijenolatinos are perceived and treated. we arent asking for the impossible we’re just asking for recognition and understanding

[tamsavage]

Thought Dump - 10/24/24 -The Tell All Edition

So look ... I don't have a therapist yet and I have just been thugging it out. I have been a little more quiet than usual, but my mind is going a mile a minute. I have to dump this mess on you guys and hopefully you all won't run away from me.

I believe that I am going thru a depressive cycle right now. I only noticed that it may be an issue when I saw my clothes from my AUGUST trip to the Dominican Republic were not put away. They are clean and folded but just sitting in the chair in my corner. So weekend goal is to put up my shit.

I am starting to think that the men I like do NOT like me. Now don't get me wrong, these men LOVE me but they don't necessarily like me. I always discuss how LIKE and LOVE are two different things. And for me one is more important than the other.

Too piggyback that notion, love is an action word in my world.

My Dad came to visit and I learned so much about him. my family and why I have been trying to date men like him for all my life. The damn psychology people really know their shit.

My feelings aren't hurt, I am just disappointed. I am tired of saying that about my experiences.

When you really begin to work on yourself, there are just some things that are no longer worthy of your time. Also it makes your phone bone dry. People sometimes do not like the new you.

I had to admit to myself that I want a thoughtful and caring person as a partner. I am a hopeless romantic and I need a bit of romance in my relationships. I have been functioning like a fuck boy for so long that it is my default. But that never ever gets me the things that I want.

Last thing that I want to say is that, I want what I want. I have always felt like I never get what I want. But I am not going to stop until I get what I want.

That was a lot this week. I hope you all enjoy.

[yuxmemi-01]

Ch. 2 Crescent Moon

The Cullens

“How was school, love?” Brie asks as we make it into the house, “it was…strange. I met a girl and got to talk to her group of friends, they seemed okay.” I shrug my shoulders as I head up to my room.

Okay, firstly, the Cullens. An adoptive family, and bella is dating one of them. Who is Jasper and why is he so familiar? Why were they staring at me like that? Why was today so weird?!

I flop on my bed and ponder.

All of a sudden I get a flashback to my nightmare, That thing, its honey blonde fur… those eyes…those eyes! Thats why hes so familiar! He looks like the thing from my nightmare.

I shiver, the way he stared at me, we made eye contact…it felt like some sort of link. But why? Am I going insane? Probably.

I change my clothes and get my homework done, I even read a few chapters of a vampire novel to occupy my mind. Bad, bad idea. The nightmares only got worse.

This time, it was him, only his eyes were different, yellow—no, Golden. Like a predator chasing its prey, which was me, his eyes never once left me, I was tackled to the ground, his mouth opened wide and his teeth were sharp and big, I felt so insignificant as his mouth rushed to my neck, then I woke up.

“Damnit!” I shake my head.

“Tuesday mornings, gotta love em.” I get out of my new cold and comfortable bed to enter that muggy hell hole.

The students are Always so loud…

Jasper Pov

That girl…who was she? And why did she smell…different? I would have done something unspeakable, and at the time, it felt like it would be worth it. To drain her body of everything, she smelled so…so sweet, so fragrant, so appealing. I throw my head backwards in my chair. What is wrong with me? I need to get a grip!

“Its not unusual you know?” In my doorway was Edward, this prick.

“It would be lovely if you could stop picking my brain. Thanks.” I roll my eyes. “Thats how I felt the first time I met Bella, it wont do you any good to run, trust me—I know.” He smirks at me.

“This is serious! How am I going to survive a day without wanting to—eat her!?”

“You can get used to it, the urges will go away sometimes, and come back other times, but youre in control.” He walks closer and pats my shoulders. “Sometimes isnt good enough! And why are you talking about her as if we’ve already established a relationship?”

He looks at me with a look only we know—“Alice.” We both say in unison, should have known.

“As you heard earlier today, her name is Abril Torrez. Shes from Peurto Plata, Dominican Republic and she loves purple, and books, shes a softy once you get under that hard shell, fun to be around—shes a delight Jaz, youre all gonna love her!”

She blabbers on and on about this Abril girl, I could care less about, shes just made it harder for me to stay in control, as if it wasnt hard enough already. Just thinking of her—my throat is so dry it burns!”

“Guh! We need to go hunting now! Before I make a run for it.”

Abril Pov

I cant wait until this week is over, these clothes are unbelievably unbearable! Its like my legs are being held captive and put on display!

Me and Bella talk Majority of first hour, it was nice to have someone calm to talk to, she was so nice and cool, in an older sister kind of way.

I really want this friendship to work, not like the other ones.

Time flies and eventually im face to face with the door to fourth hour, I take a deep breath and step in. Hes there, in all his glory, just like yester…day?

His eyes…! Theyre Golden?

His face contorts to confusion as I sit down, he wont stop staring, theres only so much eye contact I can avoid, is he looking at my face? I adjust myself and my hair to cover my cheeks as I put my head down.

Jasper Pov

Why was she so taken aback? Was she expecting me not to be here? She’s uncomfortable. I shift the atmosphere to make her a bit more approachable, shes still shy, she uses her hair to cover her face, now that I think about it, I’ve never paid attention to her as a whole, I only viewed her as a vessel of sweet—no.

Ill try to put what Alice said into practice.

Her hair, its a dark brown with nice shiny coils, it has volume and looks good with her brown skin complexion. Her eyes are a soft slanted almond, big but subtle at the same time…her lips, full and two toned, her body is what every girl would dream of, curvaceous yet slim, she wears a silver necklace with an initial, ‘B’ who is B?

Why should I care?

“How are you today?” I say to her, she jumps in response, I have to tone her down just a bit more. Her shoulders relax as she tries to generate a response. “Im doing okay for a Tuesday…” she starts to slide the B initial on her necklace back and forth. “Sorry I didnt speak yesterday, I was a bit crabby.” I chuckle to loosen the mood.

“Its okay, everyone has their days.” She looks up at me and offers a soft smile. If I had a working heart it would have fluttered, her heart shaped face was hit with the light above us, her eyes seemed to grow brighter when her eyes met mine.

I couldn’t bring myself to look away from them…

“Who is B, if you dont mind me asking.” I look down at the necklace in between her index and thumb. “Oh, my Godmother, her name is Brie.” Her tone had nothing but gratitude and adoration in it. “You sound very fond of her.” She laughed softly. “I am. Shes an amazing woman.”

How sweet, Alice was right, thinking of someone as a person does help the thirst, I need to apologize.

The day goes by as normal, only there was this urge to get to know more, it was an itch that needed to be scratched—to know everything about her, why is that?

A woman later came at the end of the day to pick Abril up, the one Im, guessing is her godmother—Brie she said, like the cheese, how weird.

I followed the car far behind in the woods, I took a mental note of her address and left. I made my mind up, im going to learn as much as possible about her so i can fight these urges, this is how ill cope.

Who are you Abril? And why am I so drawn to you?

[paulinedorchester]

Men of Vision: Anglo-Jewry’s Aid to Victims of the Nazi Regime, 1933-1945, by Amy Zahl Gottlieb. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1998.

For the past several decades, it has been fashionable in certain parts of the Jewish community to the point the finger of blame at other parts of the Jewish community when asking why more Jewish lives weren’t saved during the Holocaust — no-one who could have done anything lifted a finger, we are told. Several years ago, while doing fanfic-related research, I came across citations of two fairly recent books to this effect by British scholars looking at British Jews, both apparently highly condemnatory. I don’t recall many other details, such as when those books appeared (it seems to me that they were published within a year or two of each other), but it wouldn’t surprise me to learn that Amy Zahl Gottlieb wrote Men of Vision as a rebuttal to this type of rhetoric.

One thing that I do remember is that the authors of both books were quite young. (I also recall that some digging revealed that the books sank without a trace, along with the academic careers of their authors.) Gottlieb, on the other hand, was actually there.

She was born in 1919 in Stepney, East London, and left school in 1934; I don’t know what she did for the next decade, but at the beginning of 1944 she became part of the first Jewish Relief Unit of the Jewish Committee for Relief Abroad (JCRA), serving in Egypt and Greece. She then joined a still-extant American organization, the Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, for which she oversaw the emigration of thousands of people in European D.P. camps to North, Central, and South America, Australia, New Zealand and, to a much lesser extent, the U.K. If what I’ve read is to be believed, Gottlieb single-handedly arranged for Oskar Schindler to emigrate to Argentina in 1949. She led quite a life, all in all; here’s her obituary in the April 2010 issue of the newsletter of the Association of Jewish Refugees:

JCRA was to a certain extent an offshoot of the Central British Fund for German Jewry (CBF), which was organized in 1933 by a group of Londoners, many of them finance-industry leaders, all of them Jewish and most with close family ties to Germany. In the late 1980s Gottlieb was asked to organize CBF archival materials that had been discovered unexpectedly; it seems that most of the CBF’s files had been destroyed not long after the war ended. At a time when consumable resources of all kinds were in short supply, pulping those records could have been seen as a patriotic act.

However, Gottlieb maintains that throughout its history the CBF was deeply publicity-shy, seeking attention only in the pages of The Jewish Chronicle. For what it’s worth, searching the organization’s name in the British Newspaper Archive got me 86 results (mostly coverage of fund-raising events during the first few years of its existence); but given that CBF’s goal was to get as many Jews as possible out of Germany (and, later, Austria and Czechoslovakia) and have them least temporarily housed in the U.K. — this at a time of mass unemployment and in the face of attitudes from the Chamberlain, Churchill and, yes, Attlee governments that ranged from indifference to thinly-veiled hostility — she is able to make a strong case had that its leadership had to tread very carefully.

That the CBF was able to accomplish as much as it did seems miraculous: it was involved in the rescue of 10,000 unaccompanied minors and nearly as many unattached adults and people in family groups, all before the war began. Even during the war it helped some of them to emigrate to British Mandate Palestine, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, or other places. These journeys were undertaken at tremendous risk to the refugees, but there must have been times when they seemed like a better alternative to staying in Britain. Finding places for the refugees there ended up requiring the CBF to work with a variety of Christian organizations, some of which were completely open about their agenda: to place as many unaccompanied children as possible in situations where they could be “introduced to authentic Christian family life.” “Some of those young people were lost to Judaism,” Gottlieb remarks, with restraint.

The title of this book is liable to give some people fits, I know, but it appears to have been accurate: in Gottlieb’s telling, at least, the handful of women who were involved played strictly subsidiary roles.

This seems to have been Gottlieb’s only book, and it could be better organized and more smoothly written. But as a corrective to the negativity that too often prevails, it works.

[zeravmeta]

ALRIGHT THEN

time to share some of my vacation photos!

So as mentioned, this was a 2 week cruise with 6!!! stops in total, the places being puerto limon, cartagena, panama, aruba, curaçao, and dominican republic, a whole ass cross caribbean tour!

as for photos, here are a few fun scenic areas of islands and ocean that i mcfucking love, as well as some of the local arts

just a choice few since i have like 70+ total and a lot of them have my silly goofy irresistible face in them as well as m family

AS PER MY SOUVENIRS... i dont really have that many BUT i do have some good ones!

to start off, some delicious spicy sauces to keep my tropical flame agoing, each of these is muy delicioso and i will lovingly use them

NEXT is this hilarious figurine of a dragon riding a motorcycle which i thought fucked so hard i just had to get it. like look at this thing, TELL ME it isnt the sickest fucking thing to bring back from a tropical vacation

and well thats about it, i dont really have... wait...

Could it be!? The hero spoken of only in legends...!?

ES EL CAMPION DEL MUNDO!!! LA LEGENDA QUE SE SABE SOLO EN LAS SCRIPTURAS MAS VENERABLE!!! ARUBA SONIC!!! EL AMIGO MAS PODEROSO DEL UNIVERSO!!!

Yep i found myself one of those knock off sonic plushes and i fucking love him

and thats about it! a lot of the cruise was spent with no internet, fine dining, scenic ocean routes and family!!