In recent years, Canada has emerged as one of the top destinations for international students seeking quality education and vibrant multicultural experiences. However, navigating the intricacies of obtaining a study visa for Canada can often be a daunting task, fraught with complexities and uncertainties. This is where the expertise of a Canada study visa consultant comes into play. In this comprehensive blog post, we delve into the pivotal role of a Canada study visa consultant, the array of services they provide, and why their guidance is indispensable for aspiring international students.

Understanding the Role

A Canada study visa consultant serves as a knowledgeable ally for students aspiring to pursue their educational dreams in the Great White North. Their primary role revolves around providing expert guidance and support throughout the visa application process, ensuring that students meet all the necessary requirements and navigate potential obstacles with ease.

Services Offered

Initial Assessment and Guidance: A reputable Canada study visa consultant will commence by conducting a thorough assessment of the student's academic background, career aspirations, and desired course of study in Canada. Based on this assessment, they offer personalized guidance on selecting the most suitable educational institutions and programs.
Visa Application Preparation: One of the most crucial aspects of the process is preparing the visa application itself. A consultant assists students in compiling and organizing the required documents, including academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, proof of funds, and a letter of acceptance from a Canadian institution.
Submission and Follow-up: Once the application is complete, the consultant oversees the submission process and liaises with the relevant Canadian immigration authorities on behalf of the student. They also provide regular updates on the status of the application and address any inquiries or requests for additional information promptly.
Interview Preparation: In some cases, students may be required to attend an interview as part of the visa application process. A knowledgeable consultant conducts mock interviews and provides valuable tips and strategies to help students prepare effectively and exude confidence during their visa interviews.
Post-Visa Assistance: Even after securing the study visa, students may encounter various challenges during their transition to life in Canada. Consultants offer ongoing support and guidance on matters such as accommodation, healthcare, employment opportunities, and adjusting to the Canadian academic and cultural environment.

Why Choose a Canada Study Visa Consultant?

Expertise and Experience: Visa consultants specializing in Canadian immigration possess in-depth knowledge of the country's visa policies, procedures, and requirements. Their expertise helps students navigate the intricacies of the application process with confidence and precision.
Personalized Guidance: Every student's academic journey is unique, and a consultant recognizes the importance of tailoring their services to meet individual needs. Whether it's choosing the right program or preparing for the visa interview, students receive personalized guidance every step of the way.
Maximize Success Rate: Visa consultants leverage their experience and insights to optimize the chances of visa approval for their clients. By ensuring that applications are comprehensive, accurate, and submitted on time, they help students overcome potential hurdles and achieve their educational goals in Canada.
Save Time and Effort: Navigating the visa application process can be time-consuming and overwhelming, particularly for students juggling academic responsibilities and other commitments. With a consultant handling the administrative aspects of the process, students can focus their time and energy on preparing for their studies.
Peace of Mind: The journey of studying abroad is undoubtedly exciting, but it can also be fraught with uncertainties and anxieties. By entrusting their visa application to a reputable consultant, students can enjoy peace of mind knowing that they have a dedicated ally guiding them every step of the way.

Conclusion

Embarking on a journey of studying abroad in Canada is a transformative experience that opens doors to new opportunities and perspectives. However, the path to obtaining a study visa can be complex and arduous, requiring careful planning and meticulous attention to detail. A Canada study visa consultant serves as a beacon of support and guidance, empowering students to navigate the visa application process with confidence and ease. With their expertise, personalized assistance, and unwavering commitment to student success, consultants play a pivotal role in shaping the educational journeys of aspiring scholars from around the world. So, if you're dreaming of pursuing your academic aspirations in the land of maple leaves and diversity, consider enlisting the expertise of a trusted Canada study visa consultant to illuminate the path to your future endeavors.

This is a random sample of my book I’ve been working on and I was just wondering if anyone thought it was worth it or if I should give up on this one, romance isn’t my thing but I gave it a shot. 🫣
They were in New York together. She was meeting with publishers for her new book, scared to face the big apple by herself she invited him. They arrived at the hotel after a crazy day at the busy airport, thankfully they had no complications. They walked in to be greeted with two beds and a beautiful balcony. She sighed flipping down on one the beds, kicking her shoes off on the floor below her.

“Hey, imma go grab a shower it’s been a long day.” That was the first time he’d spoke since they arrived, his nerves shot from flying for the first time. She sat up and simply nodded, agreeing that a shower sounds like a great idea. While she waited for her turn she took this time to unpack her luggage into the dresser, leaving out her night clothes neatly folded on the top of the dresser. Just as she shut the drawer her best friend walked out with only a towel around his waist, water droplets glistening on his dark skin. Her eyes scanned his slightly toned body before he cleared his throat. She quickly averted her eyes looking anywhere but in his direction. They had been friends for years, FRIENDS, she had almost never thought of him as more. There was one time she thought he might like her but she was proven wrong. “Yeah, I’ll just head to the shower…” The air now thick and slightly awkward for the two, she slid her wad past him and into the bathroom locking the door behind her. She reached only for the cold water nob, her skin was hot she needed to cool down. She quickly was in and out of the shower, stepping out she dried off and brush her teeth. Slipping into her silk matching pajamas, she slowing excited the bathroom. He was sat with her back against the head board reading her book. “So she’s an alien and an also a princess?” He looked up at her. She nodded “It’s not that simple but yes.” She giggled sitting down beside him. “I didn’t know you were interested in my book?” “Well it’s simple really, I’m interested in everything you do.”

When I was in my 20’s I didn’t really know what I wanted from life as far as kids. I married at 28 and divorced at 34. I always wanted children with my 1st wife but with her mental health issues I was afraid if we did it would send her back into a tailspin that would result in her once again being committed into a facility. So I want to save up a ton of money to pay bills if that happened. I kept kicking the stone down the road even though I was ready to be a dad. I was scared of the fallout of her bi-polar disorder. Also, about 4 years into our marriage she stopped taking her medicine claiming she was “ misdiagnosed “. Things eventually got bad and I had no choice then to exit the marriage. I ended up meeting someone else and it seemed we both wanted kids. We tried for a year to conceive with no luck. We ended up getting married then she changed her mind on kids. We grew apart for that and other reasons and she eventually wanted to separate. I made it simple for her and we had a very amicable divorce. Long story short. If you desire to have children find someone amazing and do it. There is a million reasons for and against having kids. Trust me, you have to follow your heart. I would give up travelling the world and my quit, relaxing mornings and weekends to have kids in my life. I have baby fever for a reason and it’s probably always going to be there as a reminder of what could have been. Do what your gut tells you and follow your heart when it comes to having kids. I wish I did.

Are you yearning for a getaway that transcends the ordinary and immerses you in pure luxury amidst nature's grandeur? Look no further than Kerala's exquisite holiday villas, where opulence meets tranquilly in a harmonious embrace. Nestled amidst the verdant landscapes and serene backwaters of this enchanting region, these villas redefine the essence of holiday homes, offering discerning travellers a haven of indulgence and cultural immersion like no other.
Step into a world where every detail is meticulously curated to ensure an unparalleled experience of comfort and sophistication. From elegantly appointed interiors that seamlessly blend traditional Kerala motifs with contemporary design elements to an array of modern amenities catering to your every need, each villa is a testament to craftsmanship and refinement. Whether you're seeking a romantic retreat for two or planning a family getaway, there's a villa to suit every preference and occasion.
Picture yourself lounging by the private pool, surrounded by lush greenery and the soothing sounds of nature, or indulging in a leisurely breakfast served al fresco on your spacious veranda. With private chefs on hand to whip up delectable Kerala delicacies using the freshest local ingredients, every meal becomes a culinary masterpiece, tantalising your taste buds and nourishing your soul.
Beyond the confines of your luxurious villa sanctuary, a wealth of experiences await. Explore the rich tapestry of Kerala's culture through bespoke excursions curated to showcase the region's hidden gems, from tranquil backwater cruises to immersive spice plantation tours. Immerse yourself in the vibrant rhythms of traditional dance and music performances, or embark on a culinary odyssey through bustling markets and quaint villages, sampling the diverse flavours of Kerala cuisine.
As the sun sets over the horizon, casting a golden hue upon the landscape, indulge in moments of pure bliss and relaxation. Gather around a crackling bonfire under the star-studded sky, savouring the camaraderie of loved ones and the warmth of shared memories. Or retreat to the comfort of your villa's elegant interiors, where plush furnishings and luxurious amenities await, promising a restful night's sleep amidst the tranquil embrace of Kerala's natural beauty.
Whether you're seeking a romantic escape, a family adventure, or a rejuvenating retreat, Kerala's holiday villas offer the perfect blend of luxury, serenity, and cultural immersion. So why wait? Embark on a journey of discovery and indulgence, and experience the splendour of Kerala's holiday villas for yourself. Your unforgettable getaway awaits.

Lead Contract Specialist

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Grade: GS-14

John F. Kennedy Space Center

As a Lead Contract Specialist in the Institutional Support Procurement Office, you will be responsible for applying principles, practices, and methodologies sufficient to advise on and/or resolve a range of operational and/or strategic issues. You will lead a team of contract specialists in the acquisition and administration of institution-related enterprise services and propellants using a wide range of regulations, policies, and procedures to identify, evaluate, and recommend solutions.

General Engineer, AST, Experimental Facility Development (Direct Hire)

SSC-24-DE-12400130-RD

Grade: GS-14

John C. Stennis Space Center

As a Senior Project Manager (PM) for the Stennis Space Center's Construction of Facilities Program, you will provide consultation and advice regarding the development of facilities, systems, and equipment used in conducting aerospace research, development, and operations programs. You will conduct special studies for NASA Programs/Projects and its partners.

Administrative Specialist

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Grade: GS-11

Langley Research Center

As an Administrative Specialist supporting the Administrative Support & Analysis Branch (ASAB) you will be responsible for a wide variety of analytical, human resources, administrative, and associated management support services for the organization(s) to which assigned. You will conduct analytical studies requiring the identification and resolution of issues and problems of administrative support functions.

Lead Administrative Specialist

LaRC-24-IMP-12407421-JL

Grade: GS-12

Langley Research Center

As a Lead Administrative Specialist supporting the Administrative Support & Analysis Branch (ASAB), you will be responsible for a wide variety of analytical, human resources, administrative, and associated management support services for the organization(s) to which assigned, and you will conduct analytical studies requiring the identification and resolution of issues and problems of administrative support functions.

Aerospace Engineer, AST - Fluid Systems Test

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Grade: GS-15

John F. Kennedy Space Center

As an AST, Fluid Systems Test Engineer in the Exploration Payloads Branch of the Laboratories, Development & Testing Division, you will serve as technical expert for in-space servicing and refueling of satellites, spacecraft, and lunadeep space surface systems. This includes research and development for spaceflight missions, technology demonstration and concept development with the goal of advancing NASA and U.S. leadership for In-Space Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing (ISAM) capability.

Administrative Specialist

SSC-24-IMP-12405817-RD

Grade: GS-14/15

John C. Stennis Space Center

As an Administrative Specialist within the Center Operations Directorate (COD), you will work with a multi-disciplinary team as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) for a large, multi-site Operations & Maintenance contract providing services to NASA, other Federal agencies, commercial tenants, and propulsion test customers. You will serve as Area COR for core services at Stennis Space Center, providing support to the Integration COR and Contracting Officers.

Research Physical Scientist, AST, Earth Sciences Remote Sensing (Direct Hire)

ARC-24-DE-12403533-JK

Grade: GS-13

Ames Research Center

As a Research AST, Earth Sciences Remote Sensing with the Biospheric Science Branch in the Earth Science Division, you will be responsible for developing and leading projects. You will be part of a team of highly skilled scientists to advance and integrate Earth science knowledge to empower humanity to create a more resilient world, while pursuing opportunities for collaboration and funding.

Research Computer Scientist, AST, Data Analysis (Direct Hire)

ARC-24-DE-12403531-JK

Grade: GS-14

Ames Research Center

As a Research AST, Data Analysis with the Biospheric Science Branch in the Earth Science Division, you will be responsible for leading and developing projects/products that utilize high-performance computing in efficient and novel ways to create innovative methods and insights. You will be part of a team of highly skilled scientists to advance Earth science knowledge, while pursuing opportunities for collaboration and funding and serving as a subject matter expert in computing & data analysis.

Aerospace Engineer, AST, Automation and Robotics Systems

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Grade: GS-14

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

You will serve as the Gravity Offload Deputy Project Manager with the Dynamic Systems Test Branch in the Software, Robotics, and Simulation Division. You will be responsible for policies, procedures, operations schedules, resources, procurement, funding, and facility requirements for the branch Gravity Offload assets. You will lead a team of engineers and technicians in the development, testing, and operation of STAR, ARGOS, and AX3S and pursue opportunities for collaboration and funding.

Aerospace Engineer, AST, Environmental Control Systems

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Grade: GS-13

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

You will serve as the Active Thermal Control System (ATCS) Deputy System Manager for the Gateway Program where you will be responsible for providing technical leadership and management in support of the System Manager and for Active Thermal Control Systems for human space flight vehicles. You will also assist in the management of a team of skilled Active Thermal Control Engineers providing technical authority to the Program and assist in providing products to the Program regarding the system.

Senior Scientist for Mars Exploration

HQ-24-SL-12410220

Grade: SL-00

Headquarters, NASA

The Senior Scientist for Mars Exploration reports directly to the Planetary Science Division (PSD) Director on all matters pertaining to the science of Mars and Mars Exploration. The incumbent provides recommendations, advice, and consultation on all science-related aspects of NASA's Mars Exploration Program (MEP) and Mars Sample Return Campaign. Recommends the scientific strategy for the exploration of Mars and ensures the implementation of the science content of the program is optimized.

Senior Scientist for Mars Exploration

HQ-24-SL-12406570

Grade: SL-00

Headquarters, NASA

The Senior Scientist for Mars Exploration reports directly to the Planetary Science Division (PSD) Director on all matters pertaining to the science of Mars and Mars Exploration. The incumbent provides recommendations, advice, and consultation on all science-related aspects of NASA's Mars Exploration Program (MEP) and Mars Sample Return Campaign. Recommends the scientific strategy for the exploration of Mars and ensures the implementation of the science content of the program is optimized.

Procurement Analyst (Direct Hire)

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Grade: GS-14

George C. Marshall Space Flight Center

As a Senior Procurement Analyst with the Marshall Space Flight Center's Office of Procurement, you will be responsible for assisting in planning the overall approach to meet program objectives for procuring a variety of complex requirements, reviews and advises on complex and/or diversified supplies, services, and/or equipment. Serves as principal business advisor to a wide range of customers. Participates in special projects and initiatives and performs special assignments.

Information Technology Specialist

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Grade: GS-15

Goddard Space Flight Center

You will serve as the Human Spaceflight (HSF) liaison between NASA's Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) mission partners and NASA Communications (NASCOM) to modernize policies, procedures, schedules, resources, and security of the networks that support SCaN and their customers, manage expectations, improve relationships and collaborate with technical teams. You will lead a team of highly skilled specialists in integrating, operating, securing, and planning of mission networks.

Hey y’all! Just got home from Welcome to Rockville 2024… what a crazy, wild, fun, and HOT weekend! I’m gonna just list out some tips for the festival for anyone that plans on going in the future and some tips for concerts/festivals in general!
everyone is different and this is based on my personal experiences at concerts and festivals. Some tips may be super obvious, but if you’re a first timer, it’s good to have a reminder! There is no guarantee all these tips will apply to you/be allowed at every/future festivals. Make sure to check festival/concert venue rules and regulations before you go

Keep an eye on the weather! The weather was hotter than I expected a couple days, and cooler other days. Make sure to pack some back up outfits and FL in May… expect anywhere from 70°-95°… with humidity the first day, it felt like over 100°. They also delayed doors one of the days because of possible thunderstorms. Download the WTR app to get alerts right away!
Lockers are lifesavers! Who wants to carry extra weight all day?! I splurged on a 4 day locker and am so happy I did. Great meet up spot when you’re with friends and get separated, can throw a towel and extra clothes and sunscreen in it and grab what you need when you need it. Wanna go in a pit or crowd surf? Toss everything in your locker. Don’t want to be bringing things in and out of the festival? Leave it in the locker overnight!
To avoid heat exhaustion and passing out, stay hydrated!! I did not drink any alcohol until sunset each day and drank lots of water during peak heat of the day. They ended up allowing hydro packs because it was so hot. I would bring one along just in case they say you can bring them in. I do not condone drugs but if you insist on taking them, be aware that Rockville had a police dog at gates and please be safe and don’t test your limits at a festival
More on bags and hydro packs… www.lunchboxpacks.com has clear bags with hydro packs. If they don’t allow the hydro pack, you can remove it. These bags have anti-theft zippers and pockets, and with all the reports of lost phones and other items being literally stolen out of pockets and bags, this bag really helped keep everything secure. For me, this bag passed through security with no issue. Side note, DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK if they haven’t announced letting hydro packs in, you can hid the bag and tube in your clothes, it’s all plastic and won’t set off an alarm.
List of helpful items to bring:

• Sunscreen (for my makeup lovers, I used a 50 SPF CC cream on my face so I could have some coverage and not get burnt or have a greasy face)
• Sanitizer
• Lip balm with SPF
• Wet wipes
• Tissues (literally will be breathing in dirt/sand and will get congested… blow occasionally)
• Sunglasses
• Bandaids (I had so many blisters from wearing Docs lol)
• Ear plugs
• Power bank/charging cables (lunchbox packs has a great power bank)
• Towel/light blanket (use to sit on the ground if you don’t wanna stand in the crowd or seating in tents is full)
• Extra shirt/bottoms (best to keep in locker. Some stages had a dude with a firehose spraying the crowd and I got drenched. Also one night it got cold and I was able to put a tee on over my bikini and I almost had a bodysuit malfunction another day so having shorts to put on helped)

Dress “code”: wear whatever you want (ladies, nips have to be covered!). I saw people covered head to toe, in comfy clothes, costumes, and people wearing pasties and thongs. Anything goes! They are strict on spikes… do NOT wear anything with spikes. They allowed small chain necklaces, but no thick chains… however, day 1, walking to the entrance of the security line I had thick chain necklaces on and the security guard at the entrance told me to hide them in my bag… I got them through that way and then put them on. It seems like once you get through security, they don’t care unless some issue arises from something you’re wearing/brought in.
Crowd safety! Careful in the pits! Remember the number one rule… if someone falls… PICK THEM UP. We are a family so let’s help each other stay safe. If you see someone acting up, tell security. If someone is stealing, tell security. If someone is about to/is passing out, get a medic. If you are near a pit and not in it, keep an eye on it so you don’t get knocked over. If someone comes at you, don’t freak out and shy away, just push them back in. If the pit is behind you, my best defense (I am a pretty small female so be careful with this one if you’re bigger) has been shoving my elbows back behind me to keep people from knocking me forward. Make sure you look back occasionally/pay attention to people around you because there will be an insane amount of crowd surfing… someone even went up in a wheelchair during Slipknot and ADTR told people to crowd surf on top of a crowd surfer… it got crazy and dangerous so STAY ALERT
Finding your way around… you will have slim to no reception. Keep an eye on landmarks… stages, sound booths, entrances, rides, lights, tents, food trucks, etc. this will help you navigate and set up meeting spots for when you’re with friends. Keep screenshots of the set times and circle what bands you are going to. Set your lock screen to a screenshot of a note with info if your phone is lost or stolen (number of friend/family to call if someone picks up your phone or police catch a thief, your name, etc.) and change home screen to a map of festival.
Food and drinks: look at all the food options before you pay… some booths give you a kiddie portion for $20+ and some give you more than a full size meal for $15. Try to eat proteins AND carbs since you will be walking a LOT. Protein is going to help with your muscles, while something with carbs will fill you up more so you don’t have to eat as much/often! The drinks are also pricey. The Heavy Tiki booth was definitely the best deal, frozen cocktails in a huge cup with a shot of dark rum on top… $22! Small mixed drinks were about $18.

Well if I think of anything else, I’ll add it to the comments or edit post! Rock on y’all!

"A family is left in mourning as twenty-one-year-old Natalie Rose was found dead over the weekend," the TV blared into the room, "seemingly attacked by some sort of wild animal as she sat in her tent on what was meant to be a relaxing camping trip alone. Natalie's parents have requested privacy at this time, but they appreciate the condolences they have received. In other news-" Roman grabbed the remote from me and shut off the TV.
"Hey, I was watching that!" I said as I flipped him off from across the room. "Bullshit, you're on your phone," he chuckled, fixing his hair up in the mirror. "Okay, well, I was listening. I like to have background noise, dickhead," I replied, watching him in the reflection, his focus clearly not on this important conversation.
"Where are you going all dressed up?" I interrogated him. "Morgan and I are having our engagement party, but we've got to be there early to sort out seating."
"You're having your engagement party and you didn't invite your own brother?" I questioned him, offended at the audacity this man had. "I did invite you, dipshit. You told me you had a date with Katie tonight."
The realisation hit me like a punch to the gut. I'd completely forgotten about my movie date with Katie. With a surge of panic, I leaped from my seat, heart pounding, and scrambled to get dressed. Every second felt like an eternity as I cursed my forgetfulness. Then, I heard Roman's car start outside. Without a second thought, I sprinted out the door and down the driveway. Knocking on his window, I pleaded for a ride.
The soft hum of the road and the whirring of the engine filled the car as we silently moved through the night. Staring out the window at the blur of trees, I thought about how I would apologise to Katie. Roman reached for the radio, and a Trace Adkins song began playing. Seeing this as the perfect time to start a conversation, I spoke up, "So, are Katie and I coming to the wedding?" I asked, grinning. Roman let out a deep sigh as he turned off the music. "If Katie doesn't plan a date night on the same day, then yes," he replied.
Silence filled the car as we drove along the empty road. The vast woods surrounding us created an eerie atmosphere, intensified by the winter darkness cloaking the night sky above. Yet, for Roman and me, who had grown up in this land, these woods evoked nostalgic memories of our childhood adventures. While for others, it might be an unsettling glimpse into the barrier separating civilization from the unknown, for us, it was a comforting window back into our past.
When Roman bought the land we had grown up on after our parents passed, I was probably more excited than I should've been, considering I had just lost my mum and dad in a tragic carbon monoxide leak. But my relief at not having to leave this place was immense.
We eventually reached an area where the city lights were visible in the distance. I noticed Roman yawn as he adjusted his grip on the wheel. "You're gonna have to tell me where to go, I can't remember where Katie lives," he stated as he changed gears and prepared to enter the busy traffic, a stark contrast to the remote rural road we were about to vacate.
“Just take a left up h-" I began, but was interrupted as a white blur ran in front of the car, causing Roman to slam on the brakes and swerve. I grabbed onto the side of the door as we spun out of control, the screeching of the tires filling my ears, jolting me out of the relaxed state I had been in due to the many miles of quiet driving.
We eventually came to a stop, now facing the opposite direction, gazing down the endless stretch of desolate road we had just traversed. Roman calmly checked all his mirrors for whatever he nearly hit but failed to see anything through the dust he had stirred up in the spinout.
“You all good?” he asked, a relieved smile creeping up his face, a deep breath escaping his lungs.
“Yeah, what was that?” I asked as Roman started reversing, then turned the car back towards the busy city street about a kilometre away and began driving. I looked over to him, expecting an answer to my question, but didn't receive one. His brow was furrowed in an uncertain expression, clearly lost in thought, like he was trying to remember if he locked the front door.
“Roman?” I said, causing him to blink a couple of times.
“I don't know what it was," Roman answered, not breaking his intense stare at the asphalt in front of us as we drove along, approaching the main road. “Probably just a sheep, there's a few acres of farmland behind these trees,” he continued.
As we approached the intersection, Roman flicked his left indicator on before turning onto the main road. “Okay, now take the next right,” I said, feeling the weird atmosphere in the vehicle slowly dissipating. After a few more turns, Roman said that he knew the way from here and turned the radio back on, which cut the remaining tension that I could tell we were both feeling.
The chilly winter night was starting to bite at my skin, and I cursed myself for forgetting a jacket in my hurry. I swivelled my head around to see the backseat. “What are you looking for?” Roman asked, finally looking in my direction as he turned the music down slightly.
“Uh, do you have a jacket I can borrow? I didn't realise it was gonna be this cold,” I sheepishly admitted.
“Hold the wheel,” Roman told me as he reached around behind him, shifting around his hiking gear that he hadn't taken out since his camping trip with Morgan last month.
Eventually, he pulled out his gym hoodie and threw it on my lap. “This is all I got,” he grunted as he readjusted himself in his seat and took hold of the steering wheel again. When we pulled into Katie's driveway, I pulled the hoodie over my head and hopped out of the car into the brisk night air, my breath visible in the cold. “I'll pick you up around 11:30.” Roman shouted out the window as I pulled the hoodie the rest of the way down and waved to Roman as he drove away, beeping his horn as he left me in the chilling winter breeze.
I knocked on the door, checking the time to see that it was 7:37, only a few minutes late. As I waited in the dark, a surprisingly chipper Katie opened the door, hugging me and dragging me inside. “You didn't miss much,” she whispered as we stumbled through the house that had all of its lights off. “Why do you smell like your brother?” she asked, shooting me a dirty look before grabbing a handful of the hoodie and sniffing it. All I could do was shrug and grin, “I forgot how cold it gets in the winter time, he let me borrow it.” She rolled her eyes, and we sat down next to a bunch of her friends and her parents, who all whispered their hellos in the soft glow of the TV.
Around 11:18 pm when the movie was long since finished, Katie's parents said goodnight and headed off to bed, and a few of Katie's friends who had been visiting said goodbye and drove home. I got up to get some water from the kitchen, and as I walked back, I stood in the doorway that separated the kitchen from the living room, which was dark, only lit by the TV. This allowed me to see Katie frozen, staring towards the window, which was out of my direct line of sight.
Confused, I peeked my head out of the doorway and looked toward the window. I froze and dropped my glass; luckily, it landed on the carpet and didn't make much noise, and the tall, pale creature standing an inch from the window didn't notice. The creature was foul, a gaunt, lanky humanoid. Well, at least the head was humanoid; the body and limbs were almost ape-like, with long, disproportionate arms and less exaggerated legs. The creature's whole body was covered in grey skin stretched tightly over its abnormally long bones. It had no hair anywhere. Its mouth was strangely wide, stretching around to where its ears would be if it had them, and its eyes were just sunken, inky black pits in its head. But I could tell it was staring daggers at Katie, who had tears rolling down her face. She slowly turned her head to look at me, shaking and breathing quickly. I had never felt so powerless. I was supposed to protect her, and I would. I would die to protect her, but I had no idea how to shield her from whatever this thing was.
Then I had an idea. I looked to the light switch panel to my left. I knew one of them was the porch light, but there were three others: the living room light, the kitchen light, and the hall light. If I pressed the wrong light, I didn't know what the thing would do, but I had to try. I had to remember which light Katie's dad used to turn the porch light on when he goes out for a smoke.
I reached for the light second from the bottom and flicked the switch. The hall light turned on. Luckily, the hall was on the opposite side of the kitchen from where the living room was, and it was out of view for the creature at the window. But I couldn't mess up again. If the kitchen light turned on, the creature would see me, and if the living room light turned on, it might cause it to attack Katie. I looked back at the creature, which was using one of its hands to scratch the window as it sniffed around. I had to do something.
I reached for the bottom light switch and flicked it; the porch light turned on. The creature spun around to face it and let out a screech that will haunt my nightmares for the rest of my life. I ran to Katie and grabbed her, dragging her off the side of the couch where there was about a metre gap between the armrest of the couch and the wall.
The sound of the window smashing filled the house, and Katie cried into my shoulder. I couldn't see anything; it was pitch darkness besides the slight blue glare from the TV on the wall above us. But I could hear raspy breathing and bones cracking as the thing searched the living room. I heard it sniffing the couch where Katie was sitting, and I heard it make its way closer to the end of the couch, one of its hands pressed on the wall above us. I saw the silhouette of its head begin to peak over the side of the couch, but suddenly the light turned on, and Katie's dad yelled as he saw us from the kitchen while he was holding a shotgun.
The creature ran at him but fell to the ground as a loud shot rang out in the night, leaving only the sound of our combined breathing and Katie's soft sobs. I watched intently as the body lying between Katie's dad and me moved around on the floor, before slamming its hand down, then the other, and pushing itself to its feet.
Katie's dad reloaded his shotgun, but it was too late. The creature grabbed the poor man by his leg and pulled it out from under him, causing him to shoot the ceiling. I grabbed Katie and dragged her upstairs as the creature began tearing into her father. She cried and screamed, begging me to help him, but what could I do? Whatever that thing was, it just took a shotgun blast to the chest and brushed it off.
I locked us in her upstairs bathroom as the creature's loud and hurried footsteps made their way towards us. Katie was crying loudly now, insisting that we were going to die. Honestly, not a super helpful contribution, but I can't blame her.
As the creature began crashing against the door, pieces of wood started to splinter off. I shoved Katie into the tub, and then lay on top of her. Hopefully, my body would be enough to shield her from this thing. Time slowed down as the door exploded inward. I looked at the girl I loved, makeup running down her face, pieces of door in her hair, mouth wide open as she let out the most ear splitting scream. For some reason, I felt no fear. Even as the monster began tearing at my clothes and clawing at my flesh, I felt strangely calm.
Eventually, the creature grabbed me, swinging me around by my hoodie, slamming me into every wall and surface in the room. I fell to the ground as the hoodie ripped off, and the creature just stared at me, then the hoodie in its hand, then back at me. I stared back, utterly confused, as it leaned over and sniffed my entire body from head to toe. It looked as puzzled as I felt for a moment before I heard Roman's car pull up outside.
The creature screeched as it sprinted out the door, slamming into the hallway wall in its haste. "NO!" I shouted, leaving my still-shaking girlfriend in the tub as I chased the monster out of the house. Somehow, I caught up to the creature and grabbed onto it, bringing it to the ground below. The thing managed to get on top of me, biting and clawing at my arms and hands as I shielded my face.
Before I knew it, Roman came out of nowhere, tackling the creature off me, yelling for me to run. The creature, sleek and deadly, wasted no time in retaliating against Roman's attack. With a primal growl, it lunged at him, its claws slicing through the air like daggers.
Roman had a size advantage that I didn't have, and managed to hold his own for a few seconds as he wrestled with the beast. He'd always been as strong as a bull for as long as I can remember, tall with powerful hands and massive arms and shoulders. But I couldn't risk watching my brother, as strong as he may be, get killed by this… whatever it is.
With strength I didn't know I had, I grabbed the back of Roman's expensive shirt and pulled him out of the way of a fatal blow to the head, throwing him towards the car before I lunged at the creature and went feral. I don't know what came over me; I started swinging on the creature as we tumbled around in the muddy grass. Just when I thought I was actually winning, the creature managed to get its legs between us and kicked me off, then swung its clawed hand at my stomach, ripping it right open.
I collapsed to the ground as my body tried to comprehend what had just happened. My eyes narrowed as everything was drowned out. I watched the silent scene play out before me, my heartbeat pounding in my head.
The creature charged at Roman, who leaped to grab his car's back door handle just as the creature snagged his foot. It yanked at his leg, but Roman clung onto his car door tightly. The creature persisted in pulling as Roman struggled to reach for something in his hiking gear stored in the back seat.
With an agonising yell, Roman's leg gave a sickening snap. Despite the pain, he finally retrieved what he was searching for. Releasing the car door, Roman watched as the creature stumbled backward. Seizing the opportunity, he swiftly climbed on top of it, brandishing his trusty hunting knife from his camping trips.
As Roman wrestled with the creature, the air was filled with grunts and snarls. He plunged the hunting knife into the creature's body, eliciting a guttural howl of pain. The creature thrashed wildly, but Roman held on grimly, his determination unwavering.
With each strike, Roman's movements became more frenzied, fueled by adrenaline and the need to protect us. The creature's attempts to retaliate grew weaker as Roman's blows found their mark. With a final decisive thrust, Roman delivered the fatal blow, and the creature slumped to the ground, defeated.
Breathing heavily, Roman collapsed beside the creature, his body trembling with exhaustion and relief. I rushed to his side, concern evident in my voice. "Natalie-" he faintly murmured.
"Who? Who's Natalie?" I asked, my confusion growing.
Suddenly, the creature jolted up, its movements abrupt and startling. Without warning, it lunged at me, seizing me by the throat and hurling me against the car.
The last thing I saw before I blacked out was the creature sprinting towards me. In that moment, I felt a strange sensation coursing through my body, as if something within me was shifting. I glanced down at my hands and watched in horror as they contorted and turned a sickly shade of grey. Long claws protruded from my fingers, their sharp edges glinting in the dim light.
As my bones cracked and deformed under the strain of this inexplicable transformation, a sudden surge of anger and ferocity overwhelmed my senses. It was as though a primal instinct had taken hold of me, consuming my entire being in its relentless grip. With each passing moment, the world around me faded into darkness until finally, I lost consciousness, my mind consumed by the terrifying reality of what I had become.
I awoke hours later in the back seat of Roman's car. The hum of the road and the whirring of the engine attempted to lull me back to sleep, but I sat up, rubbing my head as the memories flooded back. "What happened?" I asked, my voice hoarse and strained.
Roman responded with silence, a familiar reaction from him, but this time, it sent a shiver down my spine. As I looked at my arms, then my stomach, and felt around my whole body, I realised the wounds and deep gashes caused by the creature were all gone, as if I had never been attacked.
I caught Roman's gaze in the mirror, but he quickly averted his eyes. That's when I noticed Katie in the passenger seat, her tear-stained face betraying her silent anguish. It was clear she wanted to say something, but I couldn't shake the feeling that Roman had warned her against it.
"What do you know about this place?" Roman asked sternly, his voice devoid of emotion.
"We've lived here all our lives, Roman," I replied, confusion evident in my tone. "What do you mean?”
Roman pressed down on the brakes, bringing us to a sudden stop. I noticed a pained expression flit across his face in the mirror, a fleeting moment of vulnerability that he quickly tried to conceal.
"Your leg!" I exclaimed, my voice laced with concern as I recalled the events from earlier.
"It was a dislocated hip. I fixed it," he replied bluntly, his tone revealing little about the ordeal he must have endured.
"This isn't real, Jason. None of this is real. You are not real!" Roman's voice was sharp, refusing to meet my eyes in the reflection.
"Back at Katie's house, I remembered everything the moment I looked into that creature's eyes. I remembered... I remembered Natalie," he said, his words catching in his throat, revealing the first hint of emotion I'd seen from him.
I watched as a tear rolled down Katie's face. I reached to put a hand on her shoulder but stopped myself.
"Roman got me to remember," Katie said, her voice trembling. "I remembered the emergency alert, and when those things broke down our doors. I watched as they dragged my parents out, then my baby brother, then me. I woke up in this fake world, in a family that isn't even mine, dating a boy who turns out to be one of the monsters who brought me here." She spluttered, and I began to cry silently as I realised what she was saying.
Roman eventually started driving again, occasionally getting a call from Morgan, but after the fifth call he threw his phone out the window. We drove until I fell asleep. I don't remember what I dreamed about, but it was peaceful. I think I was in that forest with Roman. We were children again, playing around in the trees, finding cool sticks and exploring the endless expanse of what felt like a fairytale, which I guess it was.
I was awoken by the abrupt sound of Roman's car door slamming. I looked outside and saw that it was daytime again. Trying to figure out where we had stopped, I noticed a giant sign that said “Library.” I hopped out of the car and jogged to catch up to Roman and Katie.
“What are we doing here?” I asked, clearly still being avoided. It was understandable, but it still hurt.
“I need to wake everyone up,” Roman said as we walked in and approached a computer.
I noticed we were getting odd stares from everyone as we walked by, which is when I also noticed that I looked like I had just come out the other side of a paper shredder. My clothes were all torn up with bits missing, apparently not possessing the magic healing ability that I do. The sound of Roman typing snapped me out of my self-conscious thoughts and redirected me to the computer screen.
"I'm going to be a while, guys," Roman said as he began writing out his story. "I need to tell the whole thing from the beginning. Go find a book or something.”
I looked over to Katie, her face void of expression, but a great sadness filled her now dry eyes, having cried all the tears she had. “Why don't you just wake up?” I asked, probably coming across as more insensitive than I intended.
“I've got nothing to go back to. Roman told me what the world is like back there. If my family is here, I have to find them and wake them up first,” she responded, finally meeting my eye.
I wanted to hug her so bad, but I knew she didn't love me anymore. She probably had a real boyfriend in the real world.
Hours went by as Katie and I found a place to sit and wait in silence, watching Roman. He looked funny in the little library chair, hunched over the computer. Such a big guy looked out of place here, his muscular presence overpowering that of the rest of the library's patrons, who were all either very old or very young.
I hate to admit I fell asleep, but I'm just telling the story how it was. I was awoken suddenly by sirens and shouts. “We have got you surrounded, come out with your hands up or we will come in and show you no mercy,” a man's voice yelled from outside through a speaker. I looked over to Roman, who was limping over to us as all the customers flooded out the exits.
“Get up, we need to leave. They've turned the law against us,” Roman ordered. Katie and I listened and followed him.
We made our way upstairs into the empty employee lounge, and Roman opened a window... with his elbow. “They've got every exit covered but this one. We need to jump,” he calmly told us. He stood up in the window frame, kicked off some of the remaining glass with his boots, and jumped to the roof of the single-story building below, wincing in pain as he landed on his bad leg.
That's when six armed officers kicked down the door and opened fire on Katie and me. I moved to block the bullets from hitting Katie, taking several hits to the head and back. I then pushed Katie through the window, and Roman caught her before I jumped out myself and followed.
We ran from rooftop to rooftop until we reached a ladder that led down into an alleyway, where we attempted to catch our breaths. Roman and Katie watched me intently as the bullets lodged in my body began to work their way back out, the wounds closing up after. My skin color shifted a little, and I felt a rattle leave my throat as a cold sweat came over me.
“Hey, control yourself,” Roman told me sternly. I nodded, struggling to remain composed.
“Did you finish the story?” Katie asked Roman.
“Yeah, I kind of had to rush the last part, but I got the message across,” he replied, slumping to the ground behind a dumpster, exhausted.
“What now?” I asked.
Roman looked at me, panting. “I'm gonna help Katie find her family, then I'm going back to Natalie,” he said between heavy breaths.
“What about Morgan?” I questioned, causing him to look down at his feet. “I don't even know her in the real world, and I would never have chosen to be with her. This place… it's like it wrote me a life that was least likely to let me remember who I am. The girl I'm engaged to is the complete opposite of Natalie. I've got a brother who lives with me, my parents are dead. There's literally nothing here to remind me of home, bro,” Roman said, shedding a couple of tears.
We waited in the alley until night, hearing sirens go back and forth every now and then. When Roman said we were in the clear, we made our way back to the car and started driving again. I noticed Roman's eyes fluttering after about an hour, and I told him I'd be happy to drive if he needed to sleep. I could tell that his ego didn't want to admit he was exhausted, and he also still didn't trust me, but he gave in and pulled over, falling asleep in the back seat as I drove off into the night.

I am STILL NOT the Original Poster. That is u/ta-bff-234324. He posted in AITAH and amiwrong but posted the same text in both subreddits. I chose to use the ones from AITAH
Thanks again to u/Literally_Taken for the rec and to Choice Evidence and u/chickenoodledeprived for letting me know about the update!
Previous BORU here. New update marked with ****\*
Trigger Warning: racism
Mood Spoiler: tentatively happy ending
Original Post: April 1, 2024
My (29M) best friend Jess (29F) keeps on mentioning my ex (29F) in front of my fiancee, and I am thinking of cutting her off. I want to know if I am overreacting, or if Jess is in the wrong.
For context, Jess and I went to the same high school and the same college. We were friends in high school. However, since we both went to the same out-of-state college, we became best friends since then. We have always been there for each other during the best and worst times. However, things have always been platonic, and she is more like a big sister to me, who made sure I stay on the right track.
I have only been in two long-term relationships so far. One was with my ex Lisa for 7 years. We met in college and dated all through our college years. Lisa and Jess also became good friends, too. After college, Lisa and I just grew apart and had different goals in life. I became "boring" after college as I was working on my PhD while doing a full time job. Lisa broke up with me as she wanted to party on weekends, while I was home studying. I was heartbroken, but I don't think I ever blamed her or had resentment towards her, as I understood my decisions were selfish and should not hold her back from having the best life.
Jess always stood by me and comforted me during that time. Jess and Lisa were good friends and Jess always kept on telling me that Lisa loves me and will be back one day when I am ready. I foolishly held on to that hope and stayed friends with Lisa. That was until I met my fiancee Yang. After I finished my PhD, I got a nice job in a big tech company. Yang joined our team a year after me. We started going out for drinks, and dinner and we started dating seriously pretty soon. We are happy together, and financially in a great place. Needless to say, I stopped talking to Lisa after I started dating Yang.
I proposed to Yang a year after we started dating and got engaged last year. Jess has been acting weirdly since we got engaged. One of the first things she said to Yang after we got engaged was how I had planned the same thing for Lisa (proposing on a local hiking trail). It was a bit off-putting that she was bringing up Lisa whom I broke up with almost 5 years ago on such a happy occasion. However, Yang asked me to not spoil my mood, as she felt Jess was just commenting on how I had that plan in mind for years. Since then, every time we meet, Jess without fail brings up Lisa and how the things I am doing are all the things I had planned with Lisa. This happened when we bought a house, planned for vacations, etc. Jess always starts with some nostalgic story and then brings up how Lisa and I were so happy together. She is still good friends with Lisa and keeps giving me updates about Lisa and how great Lisa is doing at work when no one is asking for it. It felt like she was painting a rosy picture of Lisa to Yang and telling Yang that she would always be second to Lisa.
Yang told me Jess's comments bothered her, and I also felt the same. I have brought this up with Jess many times and asked her not to do it. However, she says she will try but since I dated Lisa for 7 years, she would be part of many stories from the past. Also, she asked me why talking about Lisa bothers me and if I still have feelings for her. I have reduced hanging out with Jess. However, she is close with my mom and is always invited to all our family parties and holidays.
I talked to my mom and sister about this and they feel I am overreacting. They feel Jess is just telling stories and since the stories are mostly from college days and later, Lisa will be a character in the story. They also feel I should not be bothered by Jess mentioning Lisa since we broke up a long time ago. I feel that it's disrespectful to Yang as she doesn't need to hear about all the fun Lisa and I had when we were together and how we were planning to get married. Do you think I am the asshole to stop here or Jess is truly acting out of line?
Relevant Comments:
Commenter: Probably need to separate your time with your fiancé away from your friend. ... On a side note, your friend comes across poorly on one other aspect. When you were too busy to date so you could study. She is encouraging you to stay available while your ex goes about dating around? Think she ever encouraged your ex to not? Or do you think she was telling your ex she could have all the fun she wanted cause you'd still be around? Food for thought.

OOP: She thought we were 24 when we broke up and she always justified that Lisa was young and it's natural to date around before you settle down. She also encouraged me to do the same. However, after my breakup, I decided that I would not be in a relationship (based on what happened to the previous one) and never dated anyone until after I graduated.

Commenter: Not wrong, in fact it's thoughtful of your finace's feelings. " Jess always kept on telling me that Lisa loves me and will be back one day when I am ready." - yikes.
An easy: "Jess, you keep bringing up my ex, and keep making comments which are dismissive of my relationship with Yang. I am telling you point blank that this is harming our friendship and it saddens me that you dismiss my feelings as being unimportant on this topic. If you can't respect me, and my relationship with Yang, please understand why it will likely end our friendship."

OOP: We have had this exact conversation. Jess then proceeded to ask Yang is she offended by her telling stories about me. Yang was polite and said she is ok. Then she told me I am being too sensitive.

Commenter: Op do you know if Lisa is married? Maybe Jess is trying to sabotage your engagement so you can be with Lisa.

OOP: I know Lisa is single. She has not been in any serious long term relationship after me. Infant, Jess always makes it a point to bring that up regularly and update me, even after I tell her I have no interest. My mom loves gossip and they also discuss a out Lisa regularly.

Jess is just being a mean girl/have you talked to Lisa at all?
At this point, I suspect Jess is just being mean to Yang. I would have cut her off long ago if she was not so close to me or my family for so many years.
Lisa is out of the picture, to be honest. I have completely gone no contact with her for the last 2 years.
Jess has feelings for you:
That's not true. I did not write it since I thought it was irrelevant, but Jess is happily married and has a 3 year old kid.
There is no consensus bot on AITAH, but top comments were NTA
Update Post: April 23, 2024 (22 days later)
I wrote a post a month ago regarding my friend Jess mentioning my ex constantly in front of my fiancée. Thanks to everyone who commented, and how inappropriate it was. However, the last month has been nothing but crazy and I still trying to make sense of what happened so far.
After my post, I decided to talk to Jess and gave her an ultimatum not to speak about my ex Lisa again. I know Jess and Lisa are still friends, but I was uncomfortable of her comparing my fiancée Yang with Lisa all the time. I broke up with Lisa 5 years ago, and she is nothing but a faint memory in my past. Jess kept on defending herself and telling me that I was with Lisa for most of my adult life and it's hard to tell any stories from the past without including her. She also blamed me for being emotionally childish and just forgetting about Lisa when she was with me for 7 years. Finally, Jess agreed that she will not bring up Lisa in front of Yang, and I should also not treat Lisa as she does not exist since she is still Jess's friend. I informed Yang about our conversation. Although she was appreciative about it, she said I did not need to do it and she knows how much I love her and every time Jess brings up my Lisa, she feels sorry for Lisa that she let a guy like me go.
Yang went to visit China two weeks ago for a month as we plan to get married in her hometown. She is taking care of her shopping as well as preparations for the wedding. Jess invited me to her house that Friday for dinner as I was home alone. I am also good friends with her husband, and we were all just chatting and drinking in the living room. Around 7.30pm, the doorbell rang, and Jess excitedly went to open the door. To my surprise, it was fucking Lisa at the door. She was all dressed up as if she were ready for a date and came in. I had not seen her in person for almost 3 years and I was shocked to see her. She sat down and started making small talk with me. I was extremely uncomfortable and went into the kitchen to talk to Jess. I was angry at her and asked her what was going on. She kept on telling me that it's been 5 years since the breakup and to get over it and be nice to Lisa. She said Lisa was excited to meet me and she thought we were all adults and could have one fun evening together. We had a fight and I told her that she should not have invited Lisa after our conversation the other day and I do not want to be friends with her anymore. I went into the living room and politely excused myself and told everyone that I had a work emergency and had to leave early. Lisa looked sad, but I genuinely felt uncomfortable to be made to hang out with my ex without my consent.
I came home and called Yang. I have never seen her more furious, and she told me she is not comfortable with Jess anymore as she has some agenda that we do not know about. It's different to talk about Lisa, but to invite her without consulting is not ok. I also felt the same and I called Jess the next day and told her that she crossed a line, and I was terribly upset with her. I stopped taking her calls and ghosted her. I also told my mom and sister about the whole incident.
Last Sunday, my mom called me for lunch. When I got there, I saw Jess was already there. I told my mom that I do not want to talk to Jess and can't stay. However, she asked me to sit as they all wanted to talk to me. I have a glutton for punishment and decided to hear them out. My mom started with how Jess has been there for me all these years and only has my best interest at heart. She kept on telling me that they are the three people (mom, sister, and Jess) that love me the most. Jess started saying how she felt that I was making a big mistake in not having to hear what Lisa had to say. She told me that Lisa was my first love and Lisa is now ready to settle down and we can pick where we left off. She reminded me how broken I was when Lisa left me and how life is giving me a second chance. My sister also chimed in and said how they all liked Lisa more than Yang and how we both looked so great together. Finally, my mom started saying how our culture was so different than Yang and it is hard for them to relate to her. I asked them in what way, and my mom said that they did not understand what Yang says sometimes and have nothing in common with her. Then my mom asked me to think about how Lisa and I would have such wonderful looking kids, while if I marry Yang, our kids will look so different. I started getting their drift and I probed more. My mom told me how our kids would look Asian with "small eyes" and not like any others in the family.
I asked my mom if she cared about my kids looks more and not about how smart they will be since Yang has a PhD. She blew it off, and I realized she just did not want me to marry Yang because she was Chinese and not white. My mom told me to forgive Jess and my mom asked Jess to talk to Lisa on my behalf and asked her if she would be interested in getting back together with me. My mom was adamant that since I loved Lisa so much, I should be happy and pick up things where we left off as that is the best for everyone. I have never been so angry and may have said a lot of unkind things to all of them before I left
I am so depressed right now. I not only lost my best friend, but also am not sure how I can move on from what my mom said. My mom and sister raised me and that is the reason where I am today. However, I cannot get over how racist they are being and how they were just pretending to like Yang all these years while actively working on breaking us up. I have been so shocked that I have not told any of this to Yang so far. I might wait for her to come back next week and talk to her in person.
Again, thanks everyone for all your messages on the last post as they helped me a lot to think through the situation. My life is more fucked up than I could imagine, and I cannot imagine how dejected Yang will feel after hearing all this.
*****New Update Post: May 7, 2024 (5 weeks after OG post)****\*
I wrote a post two months ago regarding my best friend Jess constantly bringing up my ex when talking to my fiancée Yang. I wrote an update two weeks ago about my mom, sister and Jess scheming about trying to get me back with my ex Lisa because they were uncomfortable with Yang being Chinese. They tried to do it when my fiancée was visiting her parents and I felt so betrayed by their actions.
As I said in the previous post, I blew up on my mom and sister about what they said and immediately left. I did not take calls from them or answer texts for the next several days. Their messages initially were anger towards me on why I left before they could finish what they wanted to say. However, I think they realized on day 3 that they might have crossed the line this time and became extremely apologetic. I finally messaged them to leave me alone and not to contact Yang or I until we contact them. Jess did not message me the whole time.
I did not tell Yang about the situation until she came back home 9 days ago. I initially did not know how to bring up the subject, but she sensed something was wrong and asked me about it. I was so worried about hurting her, but I told her about what happened. I was upfront about the stunt Jess pulled and she was angry at Jess. I also told her about my visit to my mother's place, but she did not react with any anger. She just asked me if I was ok.
The next few days were confusing where I was more upset than Yang. She was just excited showing me all pictures and telling me stories. Finally, on last Thursday evening, she opened up and asked me if I was ok about my mom's behavior and what I plan to do. I told her my thoughts and how I cannot forgive them for what they said about her being Asian and them wanting me to marry a Lisa because she was white. I asked her why she was not more upset as it was bothering me.
She told me that when she told her parents about me, they had the exact same reaction for her dating someone who was not Chinese. Her family is very traditional, and her parents were very upset about her decision. It took them a few months to warm up to me and accept me. She never told me about this because she wanted me to have good relationship with her parents. She told me that now they are the most excited doing arrangements for our wedding.
She told me that she has always felt something was off when she talked to my mom, my sister or Jess and they did not like her. My mom and sister would be very friendly with her in front of me, but never invited her for anything when I am not around. She suspected that it may be due to fact that she is not white and does not understand the American traditions. She said she is not upset with them and now that this is in the open, she should talk to them and assure them that she would be as good of a wife as Lisa or any other girl. She said that she does not want to break a family in order to start a new one.
Despite my protests, Yang invited my mom and sister for lunch on Sunday. She said that it would be good for us to talk about everything and hear why they are concerned about her marrying me. I was really not happy with this, but Yang spent most of Sunday morning cooking for them.
When my mom and sister arrived, there were a lot of waterworks and apologies. My mom apologized to Yang and me for her behavior and told us that she would never bring it up again. My sister also was quiet and had tears in her eyes. There were a lot of blame games. My mom and my sister were blaming Jess for constantly telling them how Yang might not be great for me and how she won't fit into our family. My mom and sister fought with Jess after I left and Jess blamed Lisa. Based on Jess's story, Lisa has been depressed for the last few years and when I suddenly got engaged to Yang, it became worse. Jess thought I was also depressed after Lisa left me, because I did not date anyone for 3 years. In reality, I just wanted to focus on my work and studies and never had time. So, Lisa convinced Jess that she has to get back together with me as that is what I wanted too. Jess said how sorry she felt for Lisa as she was her longtime friend and listened to her plan as she thought it was good for everyone.
My mom and sister told us that I should stay away from Jess because she orchestrated the whole situation. They kept on hugging Yang and apologizing to her. Yang in turn also started crying and telling them that she will do better to fit in with them. It was all a big mess. I am still skeptical of my mom's change in heart, but I also want to see Yang happy. However, I think it will take a lot of time and healing before I could truly trust my mom and sister.
Currently, my mom invited us to lunch at her place next week and told me that Jess will not be there. Jess has still not message me or Yang. I really don't know what I can do in this situation. I am still upset and furious at my mom, but I also want to respect Yang's effort to keep the family together. Thanks to everyone for all the messages and supportive comments. It really helped reading them when I was feeling very sad.

Hello all!
I am an incoming international student. I was admitted into the Statistics-ML&DS specialist stream and I received the International Scholar Award. A recent post about minimum GPA requirements reminded me that one of the conditions for maintaining this scholarship was meeting a certain academic standing. Now the scholarship page mentions in its terms and conditions section that

While renewal is not tied to a specific minimum grade point average, we expect that your high academic achievement will continue and that you remain “in good standing” as defined by U of T Scarborough.

and

This award may be withdrawn due to unsatisfactory academic performance.

Now, I really enjoy mathematics and statistics and I'm very sure (hopefully) that I will perform well but there remains the question: what is unsatisfactory academic performance? I did visit the hyperlink and it states that a good standing is achieving cumulative GPA of 1.60 or higher. Now I'm quite skeptical of the 1.60 GPA mark as I think that this is below the average GPA for the UTSC. There is also the unsatisfactory academic performance point that seems quite vague. Can anyone clarify what I should achieve for a minimum to keep my scholarship?
Minor question: I was predicted to achieve an A* in Physics, Chemistry and Arabic; I have already achieved an A* in A level mathematics and Further mathematics. If I achieve and A in one or two of the subjects above, will I lose my admission and/or scholarship? The UTSC website is unfortunately not very helpful :(
Thanks!!

I was living in Noida at the time in a rented flat and only would be home once in a while. The landlord would only text on the 1st to remind me of the rent due and duly acknowledge the payment. Very rarely did he call if ever. One of those days, he asked me to not pay rent online and instead meet his wife at the local market and give her cash. Yada Yada Yada met her in the bazaar, paid cash and went about my day. Later that evening, my phone buzzed and it was the wife. She wanted to tell me I was a polite guy and it felt good to meet someone who spoke to softly and focused only on the matter at hand. I was happy. She would regularly text after that and at one point revealed how she was jealous of her sister who lived close by. It was apparently because she was having good sex and the wife wasn't. I was surprised really if not much else. It was such a bizarre thing to say. She then proceeded to send me some of her photographs and we discussed some "things" in detail. It was slightly difficult for me to accept mentally but I decided to go on as the things went.
Cut to my last day at the flat and she texts me she is downstairs. I check through the window and sure she is there. Says hi. I was flattered if you ask me. Then she just leaves. Case closed. No communication after until one fine my facebook messenger buzzes with a message. I say I wanted to do this and that and yada yada yada. She was surprised beyond measure and I completely blanked out.
Ladies, Gentlemen and everyone else : It was her husband all along who had been sharing photos and talking smack. I felt something eerie up my spine and life has not been the same since.

Louis Vuitton Apogee shines like a lighthouse for those on a voyage for more than just a perfume, it's an olfactory adventure that whisks your senses away. This blog post is a shout-out to all luxury perfume aficionados, niche scent hunters, and high-end beauty buffs who live for the extraordinary.
Let's embark on a magical journey into the heart of Louis Vuitton Apogee, a niche perfume oil that stands at the summit of sophistication and charm, wearing a top hat and twirling a cane. Get ready for a whirlwind tour of scents that promise to tickle your fancy and maybe even make you fall in love with a bottle.
A scent that perfectly captures the essence of luxury, elegance, and individuality is never-ending. Amidst an ocean of options, Louis Vuitton Apogee stands out as a beacon for those seeking more than just a perfume, but an olfactory experience that transports the senses.
This blog post is dedicated to luxury perfume enthusiasts, niche fragrance lovers, and high-end beauty consumers who appreciate the finer things in life. We will explore the enchanting world of Louis Vuitton Apogee, a niche perfume oil that embodies the pinnacle of sophistication and allure.
The Allure of Louis Vuitton Apogee
Louis Vuitton, a name synonymous with luxury fashion and high-end craftsmanship, has ventured into the realm of niche perfumery with its creation, Apogee. This perfume oil is not merely a fragrance; it's an expression of artistry, a testament to the brand's commitment to excellence and innovation.
Key Features of Apogee

Exquisite Composition: Louis Vuitton Apogee is a masterful blend of rare and precious ingredients that come together to form a harmonious and sophisticated scent. It features top notes of tangerine and orange, which give it a fresh, citrusy opening. The heart of the fragrance is a floral bouquet of jasmine, magnolia, and rose, providing a soft, romantic allure. The base notes of guaiac wood and sandalwood add depth and warmth, making Apogee a well-rounded, captivating perfume oil.
Niche Perfume Oil: Unlike mainstream fragrances, niche perfume oils like Apogee offer a more concentrated and pure scent experience. They are crafted with a focus on the quality of ingredients rather than mass appeal, providing a unique, personal touch that resonates with individual tastes and preferences.
Luxurious Packaging: In true Louis Vuitton fashion, Apogee comes in elegantly designed packaging that speaks volumes of its luxury status. The bottle itself is a work of art, embodying the brand's iconic style and attention to detail.

Why Choose Louis Vuitton Apogee?
For those who seek exclusivity and prestige in their fragrance choices, Louis Vuitton Apogee is a perfect match. It's not just a perfume; it's an accessory to one's personality, a signature scent that sets one apart from the crowd. Here are a few reasons why Apogee is a must-have for high-end fragrance aficionados:

Unparalleled Quality: Crafted with the finest ingredients, Apogee offers a scent experience that is rich, long-lasting, and truly distinctive.
Symbol of Elegance: Wearing Apogee is akin to donning an exquisite piece of Louis Vuitton couture. It complements one's style and adds an air of sophistication.
Exclusive Experience: Given its niche nature, Apogee is not widely available, making it a unique addition to any perfume collection. It represents a love for the rare and the beautiful.

The Essence of Niche Perfume Oils for Women
Niche perfume oils for women stand in a realm of their own, offering an intimate olfactory experience that is both personal and profound. Unlike their mainstream counterparts, these fragrances are created not for mass market appeal but for the discerning few. They celebrate the art of perfumery, prioritizing unique, often rare ingredients that evoke emotion and memory. The allure of niche perfume oils lies in their ability to tell a story, to embody a moment or a feeling that resonates on a deeply personal level.
For women who seek to express their individuality and sophistication, niche perfume oils provide a canvas for self-expression. They become a sensorial extension of one's personality, offering a subtlety and depth that cannot be found in more widely available scents. In this exclusive niche, every drop of perfume oil is a testament to the artisan's craft, a reflection of the passion and creativity that defines the world of luxury fragrances.
Unlock the World of Luxury Fragrances with Louis Vuitton Apogee
For those who appreciate the finer things in life, Louis Vuitton Apogee is a fragrance that promises to elevate the senses and expand horizons. It represents a world where art meets science, where rare and exquisite ingredients come together to create something truly extraordinary.
With its captivating scent and luxurious packaging, Apogee is a must-have for anyone seeking to immerse themselves in the world of niche perfumery. So indulge in this olfactory journey, and discover why Louis Vuitton Apogee is more than just a perfume; it's an experience like no other. So explore this enchanting scent for yourself and unlock the world of luxury fragrances with Louis Vuitton Apogee. Happy scent hunting!
The pursuit of the perfect fragrance is a journey that never truly ends, and in this endless quest, Louis Vuitton Apogee stands as a beacon of excellence, beauty, and sophistication. It reminds us that in the world of perfumery, as in life, the journey is as important as the destination. So let this luxurious perfume oil be your companion on this journey, and may it fill your senses with joy, wonder, and beauty. Experience the allure of Louis Vuitton Apogee and elevate your fragrance game to new heights of luxury and refinement.
GenericPerfumes come with numerous benefits, yet the quality can greatly differ across brands and items. Conducting thorough research and selecting reputable manufacturers committed to the integrity of the fragrance and the quality of ingredients in their generic versions is crucial. Consulting reviews and sampling products can further assist aficionados in finding top-tier generic perfumes that effectively replicate the sophistication and richness of their high-end equivalents. Happy scenting!
Conclusion
Individuality and personal style are celebrated, and niche perfume oils like Louis Vuitton Apogee offer an opportunity to express oneself through scent. Apogee is not just a fragrance; it's a statement of luxury, elegance, and exclusivity. For those who appreciate the artistry behind perfume-making and the prestige of the Louis Vuitton brand, Apogee is a scent that promises to captivate and enchant.
Whether you're a seasoned collector of high-end fragrances or simply looking to indulge in a luxurious olfactory experience, Louis Vuitton Apogee is a choice that epitomizes the essence of niche perfume oil. It’s a scent that lingers not just on the skin, but in the memory, long after it's been applied.
Discover the allure of Louis Vuitton Apogee and immerse yourself in the world of luxury niche perfumery. It's time to elevate your fragrance collection to new heights of sophistication and splendor.

Long story short, I started working more closely with one of the big bosses( right under the vp) in my company. He's letting me help create/develop a training program for my department. Every time we meet usually via teams or phone calls our meetings last at least 90mins. But we average between 90-120mins. Today we had created a new record. We had a department meeting via teams( my idea to talk about upcoming projects) suppose to be 90 mins but ends up lasting 2 hours. But the kicker is after the two hours people started to leave and my and him just kept chatting and eventually we ended the meeting. 2 hours later. So the meeting technically lasted 4 hours.
We covered a lot of topics and got alot of info..but I think when we get together we're both talkers . He kinda goes off on a tangent and that prompts me to ask questions based off whatever he says.
I feel like I almost enabled the lengthy meeting. I don't mind it since I'm still getting paid but I don't want my coworkers to think " oh boy it's xxx and xxx this is gonna be awhile". I usually can stay on task but with my big boss he always goes off the rails and things end up taking longer than it needs to.
I try to keep things organized and etc but sometimes it's hard. How do I keep my meeting with the big boss on task without turning into random long chat sessions?
I don't mind chatting with him but.... I do want to get things accomplished too. Because it takes a while to get things done with them and if I don't essentially remind him it's not gonna happen anytime soon. It took us 4 weeks to do something that should of took a week. He's super busy with higher level stuff like reports and etc... so it's not like he's slacking but some things still could get done if he just "focused".

I’m 18(M)
Don’t you hate it when you ask google a question about death and it defaults to suicide watch search results
A bit about me - I’ve been fairly successful in school and stuff but honestly I’ve been using academics and things as a distraction from my life problems.
My school term ended and I’m faced with a really long holiday and I should be happy but to be honest I have just been depressed with nothing to distract me. I’m sick and tired of learning new skills and other distractions where I need to work hard
I’m over filling my schedule with work and shifts.it has just got me thinking that life is so tedious and that I can’t be and do what I want because of dangerous circumstances.
All this thinking makes my brain hurt often and I can’t just shut it up. And I’m always reminded of a situation last summer when I nearly drowned and everything seemed calm in that moment. I just felt like “oh I’m done” in my brain which kinda feels weird cuz I know that’s not normal.
Recently I’ve also been seeing a therapist secretly by my uni which felt good until my allotted meetings finished. Now I’m back with nobody to talk to. I’m scared I might not make it to my second year if this continues honestly.

I am 30M she is 27F. We never officially broke up but things ended January.
Throughout the relationship she continously broke my trust by doing something and lying about it, doing a shady action, etc.
Each time these events happened, I broke communication, said we are done, and went on my way. Then came the flood of letters, texts, love notes, her begging, everything. She would say she loves me and I changed her world. She would call non stop. And promise to work on things. So. I took her back. Each And everytime.
The begging and asking got less and less as I lowered my self worth each time I thought I would be working to increase our trust together.
Then started the next phase of suicide. Anytime something not ok happened and I tried to address it and talk. She would attempt to kill herself. This would include grabbing a knife and locking herself in a room. Attempting to jump off a balcony. Slamming her head on the balcony rail multiple times. Breaking a glass, grabbing a shard, and locking herself in her car and trying to slit her wrists. Even starting panic attacks to knock herself out from lack of oxygen.
I got so afraid. I was left helpless. So I pulled back on bringing up anything that was wrong. When I did even in a subtle way - she would also say she was the worst person ever, and go into a spiral of messages that no one loves her.
Well after all of this I feel she lost love, respect, and interest in me. After 4 years I became an after thought and things ended with her telling me to never call her, text her, or see her again. Out of the blue.
Since then in the start I attempted to reach out and she ignored me for 3 weeks. After that she would breadcrumb me every so often. Every 2-3 weeks she's sent emails saying how I'm the love of her life.
About a week ago she sent me a long message saying that she feels guilt about how she treated me but she just wants the guilt gone.
This week she sent songs saying that she maybe lost the love of her life but she will never open the door again, maybe she will open the window to look at me.
And finally she sent my parents a letter today telling them how appreciative and happy she was to meet them.
It's been so long since we've ended and I feel like I am on the path of recovery but I keep getting destroyed by new things she does. My self worth is gone. She took took it away completely. I go to the gym everyday but don't see how anyone could ever like me.
I just want to escape this hold that she has on my life. I don't know how. I really don't. And it's destroying my life. It's wrecking my future.

Hey there!
I hope you all are doing well. This is just a random 24 y/o (F) who feels like she is emptier than vaccum now. Idk why life feels so exhausting. My thoughts keep on spiraling over situations i am dealing with currently and i feel worried about the future. I am an MBA Aspirant, always into good acads but my family is so used-to me scoring good that it's a normal for them. I haven't really had girls i could gel up with. They came when they needed help or guidance over something and then it was a series on unread messages for me when it came to meet-ups. I always take efforts when it comes to keeping the friendship alive, meeting, planning things but they're always brushed off by making any random excuse. What hurts the most is that they don't even reply back so i focus back on studying.
Then my apparent boyfriend (24 M) also has this avoidant behaviour and things feel one-sided now. His sentence that "i need to be selfish when it comes to acads" gets me everytime. Because me. Being an absolute idiot was ready to shift cities when it came to chosing a uni but he had his "selfish" criteria. Funny thing. The reality is boyfriends come and go but we, girls, need a bunch of supportive friends who are there through thick & thin. Do not leave us stranded. But, that's not the case here.
I thought of having a work bestie but what a huge disappointment it was! Toxic manager who used to load me with work with just a 10k salary. Her sister going in and out of office according to her will but i couldn't leave without permission. And when i finally resigned, the directors were "sad because they lost their valuable employee who did work of 3 people" with zero increments.
At this point, i feel i am complaining. But i feel utter sense of having nothing likeable in me as if i have no personality of my own. How can i not resonate with anyone? And most importantly, how do i get out of these obsessive thoughts which are constantly reminding me of bad things? People only come to me cause they know i am an easy access and i will personally make sure that i help them.in some way. Is it good or degradingly bad?
I honestly don't know what to do in lofe anymore. Everything feels so directionless.

Hi all
I am from India and I am planning to meet my friend in Sweden in the month of July. The issue is I have very less money because of which I am worried that I might get a rejection. But if I get an invitation/sponsorship letter from my friend, will it help me to reduce the rejection chances and get the visa?

Platform(s): Desktop Dell/HP (online and also downloadable game - possibly an extension)
Genre: 2D third person adventure story/episode based
Estimated year of release: 2010s - played in 2018-2019
Graphics/art style: 2D, drawn (almost cartoon looking). Starts in his room.
Notable characters: main character is a boy. It’s his birthday in the first part. Has black hair and says he has no arms (true that characters show no arms).
Notable gameplay mechanics: moved like Pokémon, I think?
Other details: You start in his room. Reminds me of a comic. My friend saw I had a wallpaper of it, and recommended I play the game. It was in a computer class, in 2019 (between Jan-may). I believe he reads a letter or keeps a journal or something? Also I think you open presents and maybe a chest. This was first, maybe second episode. Characters got shipped online all the time. There may be a character with red hair and devil ears or something? Very small characters with just head, abdomen, and feet. They don’t have arms, or main character didn’t. Please help!

Sample of meeting reminder letter

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