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This is me with Hussam, a 15-year-old Syrian refugee living in a shelter with his mother and brother in the Azraq refugee camp. 

Hussam learned to speak English in three months with the help of a CARE volunteer (after just three months of study, he is basically fluent) and excels in school. He told me his family is “split in four parts.” His father and one brother sought asylum in Germany; another brother got a scholarship to university in Turkey, and his two married sisters are still in Syria. He hasn’t seen his sisters, brother, or father in more than a year.

When I asked Hussam why he and his family left Syria, he said, “My school was bombed.” I asked if he was in the school at the time; he nodded and began to cry. I asked him if he was injured and he said, “No, but my best friend was killed.”

Most of the refugees I met in Syria have photographs of friends and family stored only on phones. Later in our conversation, Hussam took out his phone and showed me some pictures of his dad and brother in Germany, and I asked if he had a picture of his best friend. He said “Yes,” and sorted through the pictures for a moment before handing me the phone.

It showed a picture of a dead adolescent boy, his face disfigured by trauma. “That is the only picture I have,” he said.

Hussam and I spent a long time talking about the joys of reading–how reading about travel and adventure is a way of going on adventures even if you can’t in real life–and he also told me he loved writing stories. I asked him if he wanted to be a writer when he grew up. 

“No,” he said. “I want to go to university and study to become an engineer.”

“Why an engineer?” I asked.

“Because we will need many engineers to rebuild Syria,” he said. 

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“I believe that when all voices are being heard, when people know that they’re included in the political process, that makes a country stronger and more successful and more innovative. So we discussed steps that Ethiopia can take to show progress on promoting good governance, protecting human rights, fundamental freedoms, and strengthening democracy. And this is an area where we intend to deepen our conversations and consultation, because we strongly believe in Ethiopia’s promise and its people.” —President Obama at a press conference in Ethiopia

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i’m cute as hell, which is incidentally where i came from

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Wells Fargo, the second largest U.S. bank by number of branches, just launched an ad that depicts two women practicing sign language before they meet the deaf child they plan to adopt.

In other words: *four hundred sobbing emojis and heart emojis in succession*

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A New DC Super Hero Universe Designed Just For Girls, Slated For Fall 2015

[link |  link]

DC Entertainment and Warner Brothers are launching a new initiative aimed at introducing a superhero line aimed primarily at girls age 6 to 12.

The  “DC Super Hero Girls” initiative is partnering with Mattel, Random House Children’s Books, and LEGO to create merchandise and entertainment designed to appeal to and bring young ladies into superhero genre.

Developed for girls aged 6-12, DC Super Hero Girls centers on the female Super Heroes and Super-Villains of the DC Comics universe during their formative years—prior to discovering their full super power potential. Featuring a completely new artistic style and aesthetic, DC Comics’ icons such as Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Batgirl, Harley Quinn, Bumble Bee, Poison Ivy, Katana, and many more make their unprecedented teenaged introduction. Each character has her own storyline that explores what teen life is like as a Super Hero, including discovering her unique abilities, nurturing her remarkable powers and mastering the fundamentals of being a hero.   “DC Entertainment is home to the most iconic and well-known Super Heroes including Wonder Woman, Supergirl, and Batgirl,” said Diane Nelson, President of DC Entertainment. “DC Super Hero Girls represents the embodiment of our long-term strategy to harness the power of our diverse female characters.  I am so pleased that we are able to offer relatable and strong role models in a unique way, just for girls.”

We’re being told to expect to see the first wave to hit retailers Fall 2015 and include: immersive digital content, TV specials, direct-to-video releases, toys (both action figures and fashion dolls featuring “strong, athletic bodies that stand on their own in heroic poses”), Lego building sets, apparel, and books continuing on into 2016.

What exciting news DC Nation Fans!

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WHO IS RIGHT? WHO IS WRONG? WILL THINGS BETWEEN BROTHERS EVER BE THE SAME???

To answer that question once and for all, we’ve created these two t-shirts- each shirt purchased counts as a vote, the results of which will be displayed on the front page of dftba.com each day at Noon EST. 

These shirts are LIMITED EDITION! You will ONLY be able to get one until April 25th!!!

Let’s find out together whether we are ALL bat people OR if Batman is just a rich guy with an affinity for bats.

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As a college student, currently really hungry with nothing to eat, I understand how hard it can be to get food. Sometimes you really just don’t have the money to eat and when you do, you waste it all on fast food instead of stocking up on cheap things because you’re so tired of Ramen Noodes and canned food you could barf. So, I’ve composed a list of recipes and resources that will fit a college kid’s budget and appetite. Don’t go hungry! <3

Ramen Noodle Recipes:

Ramen Noodle Stir Fry

Sirloin-Snap Pea Stir Fry

Chicken Noodle Soup

Chili Cheese Ramen

Egg Drop Ramen

Spinach and Ramen

Ramen Spaghetti

Ramen Alfredo

Cheesy Ramen Noodles

Mug Meals:

Cheesy Eggs Mug

Cheese and Broccoli Mug

Mac and Cheese in a Mug

Meatloaf in a Mug

Nutella Mug Cake

Cheesecake Mug

Coffee Cup Quiche

Coffee Cup Chilaquiles

Mug Egg Scramble

Microwave Recipes:

Potato Chips

Corn on the cob

Scalloped Potatoes

White Rice

Fried Rice

Baked Potato

Chicken Casserole 

Garlic Chicken

Chicken Soup Casserole

Caramelized Onion Baked Potato

Soft Chicken Tacos

Pancakes

Recipe Generators

My Fridge Food

Fire House Chef

Dinner in 15 Minutes

Advanced recipe Generator

Cuisine

Recipe Matcher

Super Cook

Recipe Puppy

Cook Thing

Recipes by Ingredient

Recipe Key

Not Beans Again

Ideas 4 Recipes

Big Oven

Other Resources

Actual College Student Cookbook

Restaurant Coupons [1] [2] [3] [4]

Free Birthday food [1] [2] 

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so much anxiety right now just sitting in my room in the dark.

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People often say after they start reading WSHOS they can’t put it down. This is because we put glue on the cover.

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It’s On Us to speak out and step up to help end sexual assault. We took the pledge, now you can too! Watch the whole video in the link in our profile. #ITSONUS #SUNY #newpaltz #npsocial #sunynewpaltz @SUNY http://ift.tt/1vUdNYA

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i finished my christmas list i can’t wait

$ 1,000,000 in cash

boyfriend

the souls of those who have displeased me this year

another boyfriend in case my other one escapes

money

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Captain Marvel just got picked up for a movie! That makes her the first female superhero to carry a Marvel film, proving that she can kick all the boys asses in both comics books and Hollywood. [via]

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I’m not too late for the cute lil ghosts, right?

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via