Amonrawya - Amon Rawya

As a female athlete myself, I just want to quickly appreciate how George R.R Martin writes his women who fight. It’s never, “she wanted to be a warrior so she worked harder than everyone and eventually she could beat all the boys.” He actually gives his characters strengths and weaknesses—as well as cultural ties to fighting— and he makes these traits enhance the already existing plot lines these characters follow. The mental game is also always just as important, if not more, than the physical game, which I’ve found is true in sports and probably much more true in actual life-threatening situations.

Arya is a small child. She’s nine, she’s skinny; she would probably never excel at being a knight, so instead she learns a different type of fighting. She’ll never overpower anyone, but she can be quick and sneaky and use her left hand which most people don’t know how to fight against. Also, I would argue that Syrio’s teachings about “looking with your eyes” were far more important to her than the physical part of water dancing. Most of the time she isn’t using her skills to directly fight people, but to run away, to spy on people, to catch food and survive. Syrio is her friend, Needle is Jon Snow’s smile, etc. Arya learning how to use her stature to her advantage is part of a greater connection to her identity and the people who helped her.

Brienne is stronger than most men, but she faces constant misogyny because of that (which is all too realistic). She constantly faces internal battles with her own self-image and harassment wherever she goes. She gets taught to use men’s pride and anger to her advantage:

“Old Ser Goodwin was long in his grave, yet she could hear him whispering in her ear. Men will always underestimate you, he said, and their pride will make them want to vanquish you quickly, lest it be said that a woman tried them sorely. Let them spend their strength in furious attacks, whilst you conserve your own. Wait and watch, girl, wait and watch (AFFC Brienne 7)”

Finally, “no chance, and no choice” is her most memorable line for a reason. It’s not her martial prowess that makes her a great character; it’s her bravery and honor.

Cultural ties are also so important to the reasons many women in the series fight. Asha is Balon’s last remaining child when all her brothers are dead and gone. Of course she knows how to fight and sail. Her tension with Theon is less about her showing off and more about her proving how much she actually knows her people while he doesn’t (of course that isn’t Theon’s fault but that’s a whole other post). The Mormont women learned to fight because they historically had to fight off invaders; the Sand snakes’ skills show their connection to Oberyn, etc.

Anyway I just love how George uses fighting to enhance his characters’ personalities and not define them. None of them are physically or mentally infallible, and none are exempt from misogyny. They just learned to do something that empowers and protects them despite society’s expectations. George’s writing of women is definitely not perfect, but this is something I really appreciate.

i've shared amal's gofundme (@amalashuor) several times, but i just received messages from her that broke my heart

amal is a 26 year old mother from gaza. she is an incredibly dedicated and loving mother to her year old daughter, maryam. before the war, she was studying to receive her masters degree in french language. on her instagram (@/amal_sufian97_) she shared beautiful photos of her life and family in the years before the war.

now amal, her husband, and maryam have been displaced several times and have nowhere to turn to. amal wishes to finish her degree, and both she and her husband want nothing more than a better life for their young daughter. every time i receive a message from amal, my heart is full knowing she is still alive, but it breaks for her suffering. i implore you, please donate any amount you're able to help amal and her family escape gaza. they deserve nothing less than safety, warmth, love, laughter, security, and life. as of july 6th, €1,025 / €30,000 has been raised. her campaign is also included on el-shab-hussein and nabulsi's spreadsheet of verified fundraiser (#175). if you're unable to donate, please share. i want nothing more than to give amal hope that she can provide a better life for her daughter.

gofundme.com

Donate to Help me get out of Gaza for my baby girl, organized by Amal Ashour

Hello, I am Amal Ashour. I live in Gaza. I am 26 years old Before the war, I was … Amal Ashour needs your support for Help me get out of Gaz

all the spirits that I know I saw, do you see no ghost in me at all?

love like ghosts - lord huron

Dame Maggie Smith as Muriel Donnelly The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015)

So one of my tweets kinda blew up. :v

Aragorn & Arwen

And they lived happily ever after :)

I had so much fun with Arwen´s dress and hair! I was a bit torn whether I should give her a hair comb, but I liked this version best without the hair comb just below the crown.

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midsomer murders + text posts (part 4 / x)