Indian Applicant for Biomedical Engineering (Need-Based Aid) Overall GPA- 3.6ish-3.8 idk I've checked online as much as I can and this is the value I'm finding via Bard and Chatgpt. High School (Small - 300-450 Students)

• 9th Grade: 89% (Vice Head Boy, Rotary Interact Club - community service projects- made jute bags with collaboration with rotary interact members at school and donated to a nearby shelter + creating environmental awareness)
• 10th Grade: 91.2% (Head Boy, Student Council President, Anti-bullying initiative at school, Student body reported a feeling of being confident and peaceful mentally due to the awareness of bullying and how to deal with it. Planned Assembly presentations for each Grade so that all the students get a chance to portray their interests on stage + combat fear and stage fright and eventually over come it, Wrote a Drama and acted in it which was staged on the School's Annual Day in front of about 600 attendees/parents based on Dowry which plagues the society and portrayed the ill effects it has on the bride's side, highlighting social issues and sensitizing the subject, Mentored peers during the Board Examinations period who were having academic setbacks in Social Science and Science)

Senior Secondary School (Large - 2400-2800 Students)

• 11th Grade: 93% (2nd Highest in Science Stream, Highest in English, Physics, Maths)
• Cultural Prefect: Organized school events that have been conducted throughout the year (Diwali, Teachers Day etc, Felicitations, Award Ceremonies etc.)
• Science Tutor: Helped classmates in Physics and Chemistry
• CSIR-CCMB Volunteer: Explained Biology concepts at a science exhibition that was held at school for a day as a mobile expo of genetic diseases and solutions. Explained the concept of Vivo Gene Therapy, how it works, the technicalities and talked about practical feasibility.
• MIT EdX Online Course: Cell Biology (no certification due to cost)
• CSIR-CCMB Shadow A Scientist Program: Spent a day in a Stem Cell Technology lab, learnt about Cryoscopy and how it actually works. And how inducing of cancer cells takes place via the help of a lab mice. And how studying if the solution is done to know about the life of cell.
• Uri-Bed Project: Designed a smart bed prototype for incontinence management (won awards at innovation fests). I'll drop the abstract if u guys want but it's lengthy.
• Wipro Earthian Project: Reduced environmental impact of waste disposal at school via the project, brought awareness to the school management that the waste is burnt in open and helped in establishing tin sheds and coverings in the area where burning used to take place z ensuring the continuous carbon emissions doesn't harm students during their returning time and also for school cattle who are opened to roam around and have their enclosure in close proximity to burning area
• Swami Vivekananda Youth Leadership Award: Won leadership competition (500 participants in the state and only 1 person gets the award after 5-6 months of rigorous of interviews, speeches, discussions and introspection) For context it's this one https://rkmath.org/ys/

Future Plans (12th Grade)

• Applying for Head Boy
• Starting a "Young Leaders Club" with various sub-clubs (mental health, environment, youth advocacy and bookers club .)
• Preparing for SAT (financial constraints)

Intended Major: Biomedical Engineering
Financial Aid: Extremely important (need-blind preferred)
College list as of now Boston University, Upenn, Yale, DePaul, Brown, Columbia, Dartmouth, Duke, LMU , Purdue, Suny buffalo, Stony brook, Albany , Stanford, Tufts, Tulane, and USC(my heart is set on this one, they kinda love intl students n give aid + silicon valley + can also pursue my acting passion) Let me know if I'm being delusional as such, critique, review and also lemme know is USC a possibility.
Other:

• Single mother, father abandoned family
• Mother's health issues impacted 9th grade performance
• Working part-time to manage finances
• Preparing for JEE (engineering entrance exam) as a backup

**Questions

• How do my chances look for US universities (need-based aid)?
• Any suggestions for improvement?

Notes:

• Removed GPA conversion as unclear for US applications. (If you do know what my GPA will come out to be, do let me know)

I’ve been an ex Muslim for 10+ years now, I’m very lucky because I denounced Islam when I was super young so I didn’t suffer too much. My family isn’t religious and my mom and sister also left Islam, so I totally wanna acknowledge the privilege I have, sometimes I read some of Yalls story and my heart breaks. However, I am living in the Islamic republic of Iran and it’s disgusting. I find 0 appeal in this religion because everything about it is so disgusting, I can find the appeal in Buddhism, Sikhism, Judaism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, etc (I know some anti theists will come in and say “UhhhMM aLl rEliGioNs sUcK!” , literally don’t care it’s actually quite disgusting how you guys think any religion can come as close to Islam, even Mormonism is basically a Lowkey Islam but still not to islams level) Iranian women are suffering every single day with the stupid ass laws, we can’t live normal, everything is blocked. Etc. this religion wants to get rid of anything that brings you joy or a sense of humanity/ connection. There’s no music there’s no music ,no toys ,no laughter, no dancing, no singing, no love , no art, no games , no drawing, NO LIVING yet pedophilia, rape, murder and war are complete A- okay. I don’t understand the girls in the west who convert to Islam, do you not hear the cries and screams of girls in the Middle East? It’s not a “racist stereotype” , in Islam god really does hate women, Mohammad himself said women have half the intelligence and deen of men. I always believe that heaven will just be somewhere where it’s just complete peace, but Islam shows heaven as this whorehouse, how do you as a women read that passage in the Quran and think “wow I love that that’s so beautiful!” ??? Have yall hit your head somewhere? A Religion that promotes killing of non-Muslims does it never hit you that that’s very fucking weird that no other religion calls for that? Isn’t it weird how in most religions the biggest sin is to commit murder but in islam it’s “shirk” which literally means to just imitate another religion. for example you could be forgiven for waging war against non Muslims, rape , murder, take their kids and wives as slaves (quite frankly you’re following the religion) but if you’re a Muslim and have a Christmas tree oooff how dare you. I wish for the people who are living in the west could see this and understand this when this religion becomes a majority and takes over everyone is fucked. We’re also miserable. Don’t listen to the stupid ass victim card playing Muslims in the West, who talk about being oppressed, they are NOT oppressed in the Middle East. “I’m sad bc in my religion I’m allowed to beat my woman but it’s illegal here, this is discrimination 🥺” “ I can’t openly say I wanna kill gay people but my dean Islam is beautiful and peaceful” I see non-Muslim westerners, even now repeat the things Muslim say “ Islam is perfect. Muslims are not.” Bitch lmao WHAT? Just a bunch of useful idiots. So many women Conver to Islam it actually scares me. Do you guys hate yourselves that much? And I love how all the people were always advocating about the beauty and freedom that Islam give are all in the… west. For those of you that are in the west and saying “ oh Islam is not that bad it’s just racism” guess what! I look very much look Middle easterner, but still I get treated like shit as well in foreign countries because it’s a racism thing not a religion thing. No one hates you because you’re Muslim. They hate you because of the country that you came from and your country has committed atrocities. There’s no such thing as “Islamophobia” , the suffix “phobia” means irrational fear, fearing this religion is just human instinct. It’s not irrational. Sometimes on my for you page on Instagram or TikTok I’ll see these random white ladies open a page from the Quran and start sobbing talking about how beautiful it is. I’ve read the whole entire Quran front and back and to be honest it’s a mid book. I’ve read poetry books (like hafez) a billion times more beautiful than this bs book. How do you read this book that says the most basic philosophical things and then the next sentence is “ and you must kill all non-believers” and you’re like “wow omg 🥹” . So basically my rent is I don’t understand why people convert to this religion. I’m convinced that they’re all lied to. T I’m convinced that they’re all lied to or They’re sick in the head. I need someone to explain to me what is so beautiful about this religion?

Hello!

I'm looking for someone i can vibe with, someone who's light-hearted, goofy, chill, non-toxic and just nice. That can balance me out. Someone who likes horror movies, shitty 80s and 90s B-movies, FMV games, horror stuff in general. Who might be open to join me and a friend in 7DTD and Valheim, and maybe other games too.
I'm a very down to earth, regularish person who lives in western Sweden in a tiny apartment so i'm basically melting away the whole summer. I spend most of my time with watching movies, mainly horror but also a lot of other stuff, heh. But i'm always down for horror stuff! I don't play a lot, since i don't really enjoy gaming solo anymore. But, i wanna play games, so play stuff with me? Games like ----

• Apex Legends
• FortniteZB
• Stardew Valley
• Warframe (maybe)
• Project Zomboid (newish)
• GTA V Online (new)
• Terraria (kinda newish)
• Destiny 2 (maybe)
• Raft
• Deep Rock Galactic

This is just what i can think about right now! And that's about it in general i think? TZ don't really matter because my sleep scheduele is all over the place.
Take care!

I'm fairly new to the game (13 hours). After losing around 7 characters I'm finally getting the hang of the game and I'm currently in my LONGEST playthrough yet which is day 6.
Here's whats going on: I'm in Rosewood and I've got a temporary base set up in the closest house to the fire station. After watching a bunch of videos on zombies and loot knowledge I've finally gathered the courage to kill zeds only when I absolutely need to. For days 1-5 I killed ONE single zed and almost had a panic attack while doing so. But on day 6 (9am) I found an umbrella followed by a crowbar and shakily killed 14 in one hour.
Then I built up enough courage to go to the fire station. I killed 4 zeds outside, and the bottom floor of the building was completely zed free.
HERE'S WHERE THE FCKED UP PART COMES IN. I had 1 room and the locker area left to clear upstairs. After almost getting a heart attack from a jumpscare of one zed in the bunk room, I went to the lockers and found a firefighter jacket! I was so hyped to put it on because along with the firefighter pants and hardhat I found, (literally 2 minutes ago). This was the best protection gear I've ever had in project zomboid. I quickly went to the bathroom to organize inventory. And the second I put the goddamn jacket on I hear the faint sound of the dreaded helicopter.
My heart was already racing like crazy from the most eventful 3 hours of my in game life. I immedietly quit to desktop and my hands are shaking. Like the title says I'm a total coward and the first time I manage to take a TINY step out of my comfort zone I get smacked down by the helicopter.
I'm still hiding in the bathroom tightly gripping my axe and trying not to pee in these new firefighter pants. None of the windows have covers. I'm absolutely terrified of the thought of stepping out. Will the zeds break into the fire station? Will I be swarmed? Should I be expecting them standing outside this bathroom door when I go to open it? What to I do??

This is a place for asking simple questions that might not deserve their own thread. For example, if you have a question about a rules interaction, want sleeve and accessory recommendations, or suggestions for your new deck, then this is the place for you.
We encourage that you post any questions that you may have concerning Magic the Gathering here rather than make a separate thread for each question, though for now we won't require that you do so.
Rules Questions
Rules questions and interactions are allowed to be posted here, but if you need an answer quickly it may be best to use a dedicated resource like the 24/7 Magic the Gathering Rules Chat.
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If you're trying to get help with a deck, it is recommended that you post your decklist to a deckbuilding website so that it is easier to view. Some popular sites are Aetherhub, Archidekt, Deckbox, Deckstats, Moxfield, MtgGoldfish, and TappedOut.
Additionally, please include some description of what you are trying to accomplish. Don't just give us a decklist with no explanation, and don't ask extremely vague questions such as "what cards should I add to my deck to make it better?", because it's hard to give good advice in those cases. Let us know details, the more the better. Are you building with a particular strategy or theme in mind? Are there any non-obvious combo lines or synergies that people should be aware of? Are you struggling with a particular matchup, or are you finding yourself missing consistency in an important area, and need some help specifically for it? Let us know.
Commonly Asked Questions

I opened a card from a different set in my booster pack, is this unusual?

Don't worry, this is completely normal. If you opened a set booster, you have a small chance of obtaining a bonus card from a previous set. This is an extra card that does not replace any of the other cards in your pack, and is from a curated set of past hits that Wizards of the Coast has selected, which they call "The List".
You can view the contents of The List on Wizards of the Coast's official website. For example, the contents of The List for Streets of New Capenna boosters can be found here.

My foil card has a shooting start symbol over the bottom left. I can't find anything about it online.

All old-bordered foils have the shooting star symbol. Most sites that display card images just overlay a generic foil graphic over all foil cards, which doesn't include the shooting star. Your card is normal.

TL;DR: Want to find kind-hearted, respectful people to learn alongside and hopefully even work on fantasy rpg projects with
I am not new to game design but i would still consider myself to be inexperienced because i have been dabbling with environment/level design in UE for the past couple years but i haven't gotten really far just because lack of motivation and a solid goal to reach for. also just a lack of game design friends.
I tried INAT before and i met some cool and diverse people and made a game design discord server with them and even started working on prototypes but everyone had a different dream game they wanted to make so it didn't really last long so i want to find people who want to work on the same types of games i do which is unlikely but i figured i'd post just in case i get lucky.
The types of games i would want to work on would be ones that include, D&D-esque fantasy settings(or even future-fantasy settings), magic systems, life and combat skills, tab-targeted combat or soulslike combat, character customization, stories/quests with a least a little bit of depth to them(not the generic fetch quests), npc's with depth and character, different nations/cultures, and technology affected by the presence of magic.
The main goal i would want to work towards is a fantasy classless rpg that is heavily skill and exploration based that puts emphasis on just exploring the world and picking up skills as well as leveling said skills along the way to allow you to build your character the way you want ideally without the motivation to just choose a meta. think games like Project Gorgon or Kenshi if you've heard of them.
I've always been in love with game environments, i started with WoW and Skyrim and went from there. Ever since i was young i wanted to create a world that gave that same feeling of adventure and wonderlust, i love mmorpgs specifically but they have become very similar in that most put the player character on rails and heavily guide the player along a certain path which is not a bad thing, ffxiv does that and it's a fantastic game but i also love ttrpgs like D&D and Pathfinder that give players the freedom to weave their own story. I'm not saying i want to make an mmorpg as that is a laughably unrealistic goal to give myself, but i want to make a game that evokes the same feelings.
I'm not looking to immediately get to work on a game but i want to find like minded people who want to learn together and practice working together. Also we don't have to work on my idea specifically but i would prefer staying in the same ballpark. (i.e. classless skills, combat, magic, some sort of fantasy setting)
The tools i would prefer to use and have experience in are Unreal Engine and Git.
It doesn't really matter what field you want to specialize in as long as you're passionate, willing to learn, want/able to contribute, and want to just have fun on the journey.
Morals are important as well, i would like to work with people who are respectful and keep an open mind, in other words people who dont hate on lgbtq+ or aren't misogynistic or bigoted.
Reply in the comments or dm me if you're interested in working on projects together. Also it'd be appreciated if you tell me a bit about yourself in your comment/message. I would also appreciate if you only reply if you share a similar enough goal and if you share the same morals, i dont want to waste your time or mine if we dont share a common focus or if we wouldn't get along.
Some of my work: https://postimg.cc/gallery/sVFY4gZ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfMQGqEytgo&ab_channel=Jess

About a little over a week ago, I was a passenger in a car accident. It was a mini roundabout, and our right of way, but this person did not stop when supposed to and drove straight into the passenger side of the car which is where I was sitting. The car tipped a bit but it did not flip or anything, the passenger airbag went off as well which hurt my side. You couldn't open the passenger door, and the back door only about an inch, the car was a write off.
But beginning of July, I'm supposed to start driving lessons. We currently have a courtesy car until the insurance pay out, but I constantly get a huge heart rate spike, I just think the other cars arent going to stop anymore, and I know it's still a month until i drive but I'm worried. When my friend had to give me lifts to school, I didn't get the heart rate spikes so it's just with my parent driving but they are a good driver, and have been driving for years, and I trust them with driving but I just can't stop thinking other cars are not going to stop, and there's gonna be another accident.
I don't know whether to start my lessons in August instead or just see how I go when I have my first lesson.

Hi All,
https://preview.redd.it/4xbcohcvnx3d1.png?width=1599&format=png&auto=webp&s=141e0485871024968f0a1cb1c6464914522c477a
The original is here https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/nikita.kalinin/viz/ImpactofSubsidiesandEconomicFreedomonFertilityRates/Dashboard1

I've always wondered what the ages of all the characters of the main cast are. To do that, we'd first need to know precisely what Hope's Peak Academy and the Ultimate Academy for Gifted Juvinilies are.
According to the game, Hope's Peak Academy is, "a government-funded, elite high school that recruits the top students from every field imaginable to inspire hope." In Japan, students attend high school from ages fifteen to eighteen.
The Ultimate Academy for Gifted Juvinilies has no set description, however, the term juvinilies suggests that only eighteen or younger will attend, so it's safe to assume that this too, is a high school.
However, this can both be confirmed by the fact the alternate name for Ultimates are, "Super High School Level."
Next, we would have to look at the timeline. Going to the cast of Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havok, Class 78th. We know for certain that this group attended one year of standard education at Hope's Peak Academy, at the end of which they locked themselves within the school and were made to believe that their school life had only just begun. If they joined the school ages 15-16, then their current age in the game would be 16-17.
We know that the cast of Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair, are one year older than the first cast. This is because they are class 77-B (compared to 78th). So, they would be aged between 17-18.
The legal drinking age in Japan is 20. Thus, Yasuhiro Hagukure (whose opening line involves inviting Makoto to go drinking) at the start of the game likely believes he is at least 20, but is in actuality at least 21 (as one year of their life was forgotten).
According to the official Wiki, "Komaru is a teenager around high school age, who is described in the Danganronpa 1.2 Reload Artbook to be a year younger than her brother Makoto. However, when scanned by Monokuma during Ultra Despair Girls, it estimates her to be fifteen to seventeen." She has to be younger than Makoto. Danganronpa 1.2 takes place after Danganronpa: Trigger Happt Havok, meaning that Makoto around that time is 16-17, so Komaru is 15-16 ASSUMING THH's survivors were the same age upon joining the Future Foundation.
A "L'il Ultimate," from Danganronpa 1.2 are also called "Super Elementry School Level." Elementry school in Japan runs for students between 6-12.
V3's cast are way more difficult to work out, because they don't start school at the beginning of the game. They're already in school, get kidnapped, and somehow end up at the academy. Ignoring the whole fiction aspect that could suggest they are actors of different ages, all we'd have to work with is that they were all high school students (due to the SHSL talents), so they are between 15-18.
Taking the start of Danganronpa 3 as our cut off point, by that point, the ages of the characters (at MINIMUM) would be:
Warriors of Hope: 6-12. Komaru Naegi: 15-16. Class 78th (excluding Yasuhiro Hagukure): 16-17. Class 77-B: 17-18. Yasuhiro Hagukure: 21.
And then V3's cast would all be 15-18.
Issue:
All students have an insignia of their old school on their uniform somewhere. Think Makoto's pin badge or the symbols on Yasuhiro's jacket. Why is this a problem? Well, the name of these schools can be found in the official art books, and many of them include, "High School," at the end, suggesting that all of the characters have graduated high school already. This would in turn make Hope's Peak more of a university instead of a high school, providing further education. If that was the case, then everyone except the Warriors of Hope and Komaru could be an additional three years older, but this makes everything go wrong, so I looked things up myself and apparantly Kodaka said that all the main cast are between 18-20 and now I feel stupid. Perhaps this can be negated by suggesting that Hope's Peak look for students performing well in their current high school (for academic, creative arts, sports, or other activities) and recruit them FROM those schools, but I've got no damn idea.
At the very least, I suppose I've pointed out the contradictions in the ages, I guess, haha.

I guess I figured once I had this pen in my hand I’d know what it is I wanted to say. Because I know it’s there. Something heavy. But all I can tell you is it’s a feeling. It’s crazy how sometimes we don’t know how to place what we feel inside ourselves… or why. It’s not until someone mentions or points it out and identifies it for us that we understand. Maybe I just have a heavy heart. It just feels… misplaced. The feelings to big for my chest. It presses against my rib cage and that hurts. I can’t take a breathe without the fear that it might be my last. My heart feels like it might just stop beating… out of exhaustion… out of being ripped in half. Sometimes it makes me nauseous and I have to stay real still so I don’t get sick. But I get sick anyway. I’m not quite sure when it will pass, but right now I’m sure I’ll be this way forever. I’m not sure how to even begin to put one foot in front of the other much less, where I’m walking to. I doubt I will be ready to move on anytime soon. I have no idea how that part came so easily for you. And while I’m happy your not as heartbroken as I seem to be, thinking you have opened your heart to someone new so soon after losing me hurts even more. Maybe even the most. Damn. It’s as if someone is pouring acid in my chest. It makes me dizzy. Like the world is spinning in both directions…. I think I might get sick again. Wish I knew how to just make it stop…only for a moment. Long enough to catch my breathe. To catch you. But it’s only just begun so I just hang on…. The worst part is I can never tell you any of this. You’re not around for me to run to anymore. For you to comfort me and tell me to stop crying. That you love me and whoa whoa whoa heeeyyy breathe baby…..that it’s gonna be ok. I can’t bury my face in your chest and tell you I’m sorry……that I love you and I just need you to understand that IM NOT GOOD AT THIS…. That it’s all so new and I’m afraid…that I’m trying to figure out how to find my way in the dark with my eyes closed…… I never meant to make you not love me anymore. That now nothing even seems worth it. That all I needed was you. That I was giving it everything I had but hey, I always gotta fuck something up in the process. That I would give ANYTHING to go back and have it be anything else but YOU. That I can’t be ok unless I have YOU………. But it was you…… this time… I lost you. So now what? Does life really keep showing up after THAT? Did the sun and the moon and the stars not just see what happened?? How can they keep going when MY WHOLE WORLD just stopped…. And to look up and see that you keep going too….any life left inside me has lost its meaning. Every word…..every whispered promise…. Ripped away from me like I had stolen it….. like I never had any right to touch it in the first place. So here I am. Heavy heart. Shallow breathes. A world spinning in both directions. You….gone. And I’m alone in a foreign place with no idea how to move from this point. Which direction to go. Or where I’m even supposed to get to. So….. I tried to write you. Tried to see if maybe it was just my imagination or if I really lost the one thing that gave me a reason to believe maybe I do have wings…… maybe I really can fly…. But you took all the air with you, and I never had wings did I? If I did I couldn’t figure out how to spread them and let them carry me back to you. See, you’re the blood in my veins…. And I’m just an old song you’ve forgotten the lyrics to. But I hope you still hear me in your head sometimes..

Following the fall of the Caliphate and the liberation of Constantinople, the Second Roman Republic emerged victorious, and in commemoration of this pivotal triumph, a magnificent Statue of Victory was erected in the Port of Rhodes, where the legendary Colossus of Rhodes once stood.

Excerpt from: An Unabridged History of Rome, Chapter 20 of 100: The First Fifty Years of the Second Republic, Page 370
vibe

The Battle for the Forum of Constantine

The century from Rhodes, a unit of hardened soldiers, found themselves at the heart of the decisive battle for Constantinople. Their mission: to secure the Blue Mosque, a critical strategic objective. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the ancient city, the soldiers prepared for what would become a grueling and relentless fight.
"Advance with caution," Evocatus Antonius barked, his voice steady despite the chaos. The streets of Constantinople echoed with the sounds of gunfire and explosions as the Rhodian soldiers moved through the narrow alleys, their senses heightened and nerves on edge. The Caliphate fighters, well-entrenched and determined, fought back fiercely, making every inch of progress a hard-won victory. They had already survived seven suicide bombing attempts today.
As they approached the Blue Mosque, the resistance intensified. Machine gun nests and sniper positions forced the Rhodian soldiers to take cover behind crumbling walls and abandoned vehicles. The air was thick with the acrid smell of vaporized civilians and the constant rattle of automatic fire.
"Move! Move! Move!" Tesserarius Lucius urged, leading a squad through a hail of bullets. They darted from cover to cover, returning fire whenever possible. Legionary Memmio, the youngest in the unit, was hit and fell to the ground. "Medic!" Lucius shouted, pulling Memmio to safety as the medic worked frantically to stabilize him.
Despite the casualties, they pushed on. The Blue Mosque was within sight, but as they crossed an open square, a hidden IED detonated, sending shrapnel in all directions. Several soldiers were thrown to the ground, and the screams of the injured filled the air. Evoactus Antonius, bleeding from a gash on his forehead, rallied his men. "We’re not stopping now! For the Republic!"
Reaching the Forum of Constantine, they set up a defensive perimeter. The ancient square, once a symbol of the gravitas of the empire of old, once again served as a battleground as it had 600 years ago when the ancestors of the Caliphate finally breached the Theodosian Walls. The Caliphate fighters, realizing the strategic importance of the Forum, launched a relentless assault. Waves of enemy troops surged forward, attempting to break the Rhodian lines.
"Hold your ground!" Decurion Marcus shouted, firing his Scorpio Heavy Cannon with an ever smaller supply of programmable airburst rounds. The century from Rhodes fought valiantly, their training and camaraderie evident in every coordinated move. But the sheer number of enemy fighters was overwhelming. Ammunition dwindled, and the cries of the wounded filled the air.
As hope began to wane, a powerful explosion rocked the ground, sending debris flying. When the dust settled, a remarkable sight was revealed: a statue of Victoria, the ancient Roman goddess of victory, uncovered by the blast. The soldiers, desperate and weary, took this as a sign.
"Victoria!" Tesserarius Lucius cried out, dropping to one knee in reverence. The others followed suit, paying homage to the goddess in a spontaneous and heartfelt prayer. "Grant us your favor and deliver us from this peril."
The enemy assault grew fiercer. The Caliphate fighters, emboldened by their numerical superiority, pressed the attack. The Rhodian soldiers, outnumbered and running low on ammunition, fought with every ounce of strength they had left. Hand-to-hand combat broke out as the enemy breached the perimeter of the Forum. Desperation set in as the defenders realized they were on the brink of being overrun.
Legionary Alexios, using his last grenade, managed to time his throw to detonate above a suicide bomber who took another 15 enemy soldiers with him, buying precious seconds for his comrades. But the situation was dire. Evocatus Antonius, clutching a makeshift bandage over a bullet wound in his side, ordered the last stand. "We fight to the end! For Rome!"
Just as the last of their ammunition was spent, the distinctive roar of Argentavis tiltrotors filled the sky. Friendly air support had finally arrived. The massive aircraft unleashed a barrage of firepower on the enemy positions, forcing the Caliphate fighters to pull back to cover. The tiltrotors hovered above the Forum, lowering ropes and medevac stretchers to evacuate the wounded and bring in fresh troops and supplies.
The arrival of reinforcements was nothing short of miraculous. The Rhodian soldiers, invigorated by the sight of their comrades descending from the skies, as if Victoria herself had arrived, launched a counteroffensive. With renewed strength and the tide turning in their favor, they pressed the attack, driving the enemy back and securing the Forum. The day was won, and their heroic stand would become legendary.

Erecting the Statue

In the aftermath of the war, the bravery and dedication of the Rhodian century were celebrated throughout the Second Roman Republic. Donations poured in from citizens moved by their courage, and a sense of renewed Roman citizenship flourished. The soldiers of Rhodes, honored and humbled by the support, decided to use the funds to build a monument to their victory and the divine favor they believed had saved them.
The Statue of Victory, a colossal representation of Victoria, was erected in the Port of Rhodes. Standing where the Old Colossus of Rhodes once welcomed travelers, this new monument symbolizes the resilience and unity of the Roman people. It serves as a reminder of shared history and enduring spirit that carried them through the darkest times to emerge victorious once more.
In the shadow of this grand statue, the citizens of Rhodes and visitors from across the Republic found inspiration and pride, knowing that the spirit of Victory and the legacy of their ancestors continued to guide and protect them.
It was also equipped with an Asterion Medium Range Missile Defense System housed in the head of the monument as well as two Jove Laser Systems, one for each eye, naturally.

END

Hey there!, Im 25M from Goa, I'm all about having fun and meeting new people. I think good talks are the best, ones that make you laugh and think. If you're looking for someone laid-back, chill, open-minded, and ready for adventures, let's chat and see where things go! Oh, and I'm also super curious about space! I'm into a bunch of stuff, video games (witcher 3 is my fav.), sports, anime, reading, gym and traveling. I am pretty new to traveling so perhaps you might help me to learn more about place. Who knows, maybe we could even be travel buddies someday!
Physically Im about 5ft 9in, Lean body and fit, very regular in the gym and play football every now and then.
I'm generally easygoing, and fun to be around. I'm an introvert at heart that morphs into a extroverted socialite when I'm with my friends.

THIS IS A DEMO
Stayed up all night writing and recording this, I have been writing so much lately but I’m very dissatisfied with the music I’ve been writing, I’ve been trying to be more complicated with my chord progressions and my lyrics but tonight I decided to get back to basics and try to write something rather simple and this is what I came up with. Personally I think it came out pretty good, I know the recording is not perfect but please keep in mind that this is just a demo recorded from my iPhone.
I am open to any and all thoughts and criticisms so please be honest with me with your thoughts.
Thank you so much for listening I appreciate any attention this song may or may not get.
Lyrics are in comments. After recording this song I thought of the line “Tugging on my heart strings, relentlessly” if you see a good place to swap that for a lyric already written please let me know where you think it would fit.
Again thank you for listening, I hope everyone has a lovely weekend.
Best wishes, Health and wealth. D B0AT

Hey there!, Im 24M from Goa, I'm all about having fun and meeting new people. I think good talks are the best, ones that make you laugh and think. If you're looking for someone laid-back, chill, open-minded, and ready for adventures, let's chat and see where things go! Oh, and I'm also super curious about space! I'm into a bunch of stuff, video games , sports, anime, reading, gym and traveling. I am pretty new to traveling so perhaps you might help me to learn more about place. Who knows, maybe we could even be travel buddies someday! I'm generally easygoing, and fun to be around. I also give excellent advice. I'm an introvert at heart that morphs into a extroverted socialite when I'm with my friends.

I’m a 23-year-old guy from India, and I’m reaching out here because I really need some advice and emotional support. I’ve been dating my girlfriend for over two years now. She’s 22 and lives in the USA, so we’re in a long-distance relationship. This is my second relationship. My first girlfriend tragically passed away in a car accident, which left a huge void in my life. Finding love again was something I never thought possible, but then I met my current girlfriend, and she brought light back into my world.
For the first year and a half, our relationship was nothing short of perfect. Despite the distance, we managed to stay deeply connected. We would talk for hours, sharing every little detail about our days. I felt truly happy and content, knowing I had someone who cared for me just as much as I cared for her.
However, things have taken a drastic turn recently, and I feel increasingly neglected and unheard. About three weeks ago, my girlfriend started working as a cashier at a pizza shop. She has a co-worker there who, in the beginning, didn’t concern me because I trust her deeply. But lately, his behavior and their interactions have been making me uncomfortable.
She often talks about how much fun he is, how he’s always pulling pranks and making everyone laugh. While I’m glad she’s enjoying her job, it’s hard not to feel uneasy. Last Thursday, they went to a pool party together. My girlfriend didn’t know anyone else there except for this co-worker who invited her. She told me he was dragging her into the water and they spent a lot of time playing together. She described it as a great time, but what bothers me the most is that she never mentioned she was going to this party. I only found out the next day when I was telling her how sick I felt.
This incident hit me hard. I feel like my boundaries aren’t being respected. I’ve always been loyal to her, never going out with other girls or allowing any girl to get close to me because I value our relationship and her trust. But even setting aside my worries about her co-worker, I feel like I’m not getting the emotional support I desperately need.
A few days ago, I had a severe panic attack. I texted her, pouring out my feelings, telling her how my heart was racing, I couldn’t breathe properly, I was sweating profusely, and feeling extremely anxious. Her response was, “Damn, that’s pretty bad.” That was it. Her lack of empathy made me feel even worse, and I ended up crying. I felt so alone in that moment, even though I have someone who’s supposed to be there for me.
I understand that she’s had a rough past with her exes. She’s told me about her three exes who were all controlling and toxic, dictating what she could or couldn’t do, who she could talk to, and where she could go. I’ve always tried to be different, to give her the space and freedom she deserves. I don’t want to be like her exes. I don’t want to be controlling or make her feel trapped. But this situation is tearing me apart.
There’s always been a communication gap between us. We’ve talked about it multiple times, and she agreed to be more open about her feelings and what she’s doing. But this change only lasted for a few days before things went back to how they were. I feel like I’m always the one reaching out, sharing my life, and trying to keep the connection alive, but I don’t get the same in return. I tell her everything because I want her to feel reassured, knowing how much I love her and that I’m loyal. But I don’t get the same level of transparency and support from her.
I’m not asking for complete access to her life. I just need some reassurance. I need to feel like I can trust her, but without proper communication, it’s incredibly hard. I’m a human being, and I need some form of reassurance to feel secure in our relationship. Knowing about something as simple as her plans, like going to a pool party with her co-worker, would make a world of difference to me.
Whenever something significant happens in my life, whether good or bad, she’s the first person I want to tell. But it feels like she doesn’t have the same desire to share her life with me. I feel like I’m not being listened to, and it’s taking a heavy toll on my mental health. I’ve had multiple panic attacks because of this, feeling lost and helpless.
I don’t know what to do anymore. I love her with all my heart, but I don’t like how I’m feeling. How can I communicate my feelings without sounding controlling? How can I get the emotional support I need without making her feel pressured? I’m scared of losing her, but I can’t continue feeling this way.
I desperately need advice on how to handle this situation. Any insight or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Throwaway account, but I may keep it open for future comments
For the past few days, I've felt a lot of guilt in my heart for feeling this way and I wanted explain how I feel. To clarify, I'm a heterosexual male in my mid 20s with very little experience with relationships. Over the past few years, whenever the topic of dating came up with friends or coworkers and my mind went to a woman who is bisexual, I would just...pause, stop dead in my tracks before moving on to something else. Simply put, if I were to be asked to date a bisexual woman...I believe I would _probably_ say yes, but not before quite a lot of hesitation, as compared to a straight woman who I will most likely say yes to, no questions asked. I wouldn't mistreat someone for their sexuality, but the fact that I would hesitate to date them because of that weighs heavily on me.
The only experience that could explain why I feel this way is with my first ex. I met her when I was 20, and she was my first in...well, everything. She was bisexual at the time, but leaned more towards girls. Eventually, she broke things off with me and explained that she was confused for a while, but discovered she was ultimately attracted to women. It didn't end badly thankfully, but as my first ever relationship, that experience, despite me being happy for her, still sucked.
I say all this because, if I am biphobic...I don't want to be this way. It feels so bad having these feelings for bi women somewhere inside me when I believe they shouldn't be there at all. I'm afraid I could end up emotionally hurting someone else and screw myself out of a relationship with a genuinely good person because of those feelings. But...I'm not sure what to do, or even if I can change them. What do I do?

Matthew 27:11-26~" Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly. Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
These verses describe our Lord's appearance before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. That sight must have been astonishing to the angels of God. He who will one day judge the world allowed himself to be judged and condemned, though "he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth." (Isaiah 53:9.) He from whose lips Pilate and Caiaphas will one day receive their eternal sentence, suffered silently an unjust sentence to be passed upon him. Those silent sufferings fulfilled the words of Isaiah, "as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he opens not his mouth." (Isaiah 53:7.) To those silent sufferings believers owe all their peace and hope. Through them they will have boldness in the day of judgment, who in themselves would have nothing to say.
Let us learn from the conduct of Pilate, how pitiful is the condition of an unprincipled great man.
Pilate appears to have been inwardly satisfied that our Lord had done nothing worthy of death. We are told distinctly, "that he knew that for ENVY they had delivered him." Left to the exercise of his own unbiased judgment, he would probably have dismissed the charges against our Lord, and let Him go free.
But Pilate was governor of a jealous and turbulent people. His great desire was to procure favor with them and please them. He cared little how much he sinned against God and conscience, so long as he had the praise of man. Though willing to save our Lord's life, he was afraid to do it, if it offended the Jews. And so, after a feeble attempt to divert the fury of the people from Jesus to Barabbas — and a feebler attempt to satisfy his own conscience, by washing his hands publicly before the people — he at last condemned one whom he himself called "a just person." He rejected the strange and mysterious warning which his wife sent to him after her dream. He stifled the remonstrances of his own conscience. He "delivered Jesus to be crucified."
Behold in this miserable man a lively emblem of many a ruler of this world! How many there are, who know well that their public acts are wrong, and yet have not the courage to act up to their knowledge. They fear the people! They dread being laughed at! They cannot bear being unpopular! Like dead fish, they float with the tide. The praise of man is the idol before which they bow down, and to that idol they sacrifice conscience, inward peace, and an immortal soul.
Whatever our position in life may be, let us seek to be guided by principle, and not by expediency. The praise of man is a poor, feeble, uncertain thing. It is here today, and gone tomorrow. Let us strive to please God, and then we may care little who else is pleased. Let us fear God, and then there is none else of whom we need be afraid.
Let us learn from the conduct of the Jews described in these verses, the desperate wickedness of human nature.
The behavior of Pilate afforded the chief priests and elders an occasion of reconsidering what they were about. The difficulties he raised about condemning our Lord, gave time for second thoughts. But there were no second thoughts in the minds of our Lord's enemies. They pressed on their wicked deed. They rejected the compromise that Pilate offered. They actually preferred having a wretched felon, named Barabbas, set at liberty rather than Jesus. They clamored loudly for our Lord's crucifixion. And they wound up all by recklessly taking on themselves all the guilt of our Lord's death, in words of portentous meaning, "His blood be on us and our children."
And what had our Lord done, that the Jews should hate Him so? He was no robber, or murderer. He was no blasphemer of their God, or reviler of their prophets. He was one whose life was love. He was one who "went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil." (Acts 10:38.) He was innocent of any transgression against the law of God or man. And yet the Jews hated Him, and never rested until He was slain! They hated Him, because He told them the truth. They hated Him, because He testified of their works that they were evil. They hated the light, because it made their own darkness visible. In a word, they hated Christ, because He was righteous and they were wicked, because He was holy and they were unholy — because He testified against sin, and they were determined to keep their sins and not let them go.
Let us observe this. There are few things so little believed and realized as the corruption of human nature. Men imagine that if they saw a perfect person, they would love and admire him. They flatter themselves that it is the inconsistency of professing Christians which they dislike, and not their religion. They forget that when a really perfect man was on earth, in the person of the Son of God, He was hated and put to death. That single fact goes far to prove the truth of Edwards' remark — "unconverted men would kill God, if they could get at Him."
Let us never be surprised at the wickedness there is in the world. Let us mourn over it, and labor to make it less, but let us never be surprised at its extent. There is nothing which the heart of man is not capable of conceiving, or the hand of man of doing. As long as we live, let us mistrust our own hearts. Even when renewed by the Spirit, they are still "deceitful above all things and desperately wicked." (Jer. 17:9.)

Good afternoon! I just would like to ask if there is any volunteer program here for Palestine that's hopefully open on weekends and after working hours.
It breaks my heart when I see videos of the situation there, especially seeing the children who are unfairly suffering, but crying doesn't help anyone. I prefer volunteering instead of donating money. Thank you!

Many rush to take my place😍.
Unless they're alt accounts, lol, but I doubt it. You'll be fine.👍💦
Hey, one thing I wondered: how are you able to call me “piggish” + other insults that traumatized me to the point I auto-avert my gaze from your notifications, then take deep breaths to open just one- how would you expect your kind words offset that? They don't!
Don't you see the disconnect? Don't you see how you cheapen and sully the value of the words when you speak them so easily, so ragefully ; so pettily? Words manifest our actions, and actions manifest our fruits. PROVERBS 18:20-21 Remember that..
I keep thinking over and over again- is he gonna wake up from this? From not seeing what is so clearly and evidently there.
When my body has literal life or death instinctual defense reactions to idea of touching you irl, your contact, interactions with you- were REALLY scratching our heads as to how that happened???
You're a law buff. The evidence is all there. You really gonna do me like bird brain and blatantly not acknowledge what physically concretely exists before us both? Your actions my actions.
But I was there when you needed, when you were in subhuman form, and when my time came to reach subhuman form- at the hands of my ex and tensions with you- u chuckled and sighed at me. said I was inconvenience rn lol, someone else took priority 😘. Did I need any MAJOR help from you? No. Could you have made me feel slightly less alone? I think so.
Cmon man. I was fucking down and you did equivalent of spit on me. I feel betrayed. Dealbreaker.
Idk its just scary man, like if you lived a diff experience than me these last 6 months- I'm scared as to what your perception is now. I cant be in something where I believe I'm the princess and you actually see me as the Beast.
I hate how off centered you made me feel, and how you rage like my dad, too much like him. I'm not trying to regress. Forward not backwards right? Build eachother better etc.
Seriously take this time to think on the immensity of my sins and their ratio to my good actions. Take this time to see how you've given and treated certain exes deeply madly in love despite betrayals- in comparison to the respect shown for me.
I didn't even WANT love just basic friend respect!!
Now, look at the woman you and Bird Brain helped make.
a woman who texted a man a few times while presumably SINGLE and now shudders with heart palpitations to see your text or email icon pop up. Is that what others commonly experience after exposure too?
Wtf man. You know you did me unfair, not right, wrong. You know you played games with me boy