Hey everyone!
First of all, I sought approval from the moderators to post this announcement and they gave their consent, so thank you very much for allowing me to share this with you all!
I just wanted to share some exciting news for anyone involved in learning or teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). UsingEnglish.com, a leading resource for English language learners and teachers, has recently launched a brand-new section dedicated to ESL worksheets and printables! 🎉
You can check it out here: https://www.usingenglish.com/handouts/
This new section is packed with printable worksheets that cover all sorts of topics, from grammar and vocabulary to pronunciation and practical English usage. Whether you're teaching beginners or an advanced learners, there's something here for you.
Here's what I think makes this new section so great:

• Launching with 518 ESL Worksheets: These worksheets were painstakingly written by Richard Flynn, co-founder of UsingEnglish.com, who sadly passed away in February. This is a fitting tribute to him and a great example of some of his work that’s available on this site.
• A Diverse Range of Topics: Whether it's grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, or practical English usage, our worksheets cover the essential skills needed for effective communication in English.
• Ease of Navigation: The section is organised to help you find exactly what you need quickly, whether looking for something specific or browsing for inspiration.
• Presented as Printable PDFs: Each worksheet is available as a PDF for convenient printing, perfect for classroom activities or home practice.
• Corresponding Online Quizzes: Every worksheet is also presented as an online quiz, meaning that learners can practise their skills interactively and get immediate feedback, making the learning process even more effective and engaging.
• Corresponding Answer Sheets: To enhance the learning and teaching experience, every worksheet comes with a PDF answer sheet - ideal for self-checking or facilitating classroom discussions.
• Free Access: True to our commitment to the ESL community, these invaluable resources are offered completely free of charge.

We are excited to launch the ESL Worksheets section. We look forward to it continuing to grow and become an indispensable tool for English language learners and educators worldwide (if you like what you see, please consider helping us by sharing it with interested friends and colleagues).
So, if you're an ESL teacher looking for new materials for your students, head over to https://www.usingenglish.com/handouts/ and explore this new section. It's live now and ready for you to dive in!
Happy teaching!

Greetings to all ! My name is Alyssa quill You've probably read the title already but Let's get on with introducing myself before we get into the main point of how I'll be working.
As you already know my name already we'll just start with my age, I'm 17. I started working on Reddit and on this community few years ago by 2021 and I began editing with 7 years of experience. Let's move on with my editing SOFTWARE Which is
• Adobe Premiere Pro • After Effects • Photoshop premium • Alight Motion • Capcut (PC)
I have great experience in using these software in a way of working with you!
Let's get to the main point where the title says yep! You read it right! I can most definitely edit in multiple editing styles, Well not directly of course you need to present me an example of how you want me to edit your video like an inspiration. I won't fully copy and paste the editing style you've presented me to your video since that would cause trouble but I would use some materials and the highlights of what you'd want for your video.
Here are some of the videos I worked on! ( Note : most of them are done last year since I took a break on working for a while.
COMMENTARY VIDEOS :
https://youtu.be/trZXd_eL0Rg?si=oETZoSxb3ZSmMdyH
https://youtu.be/BQaA39En_WI?si=ue9W5yukBjM83Hcn
https://youtu.be/VkNIpvKnj7k?si=RpLTnYmgsHKwpjM8
https://youtu.be/v22Y-Khtywc?si=DipPV8UgSx8fvYs8
ANALOG HORROR VIDEOS :
https://youtu.be/2L1KLjmDrMc?si=hU6GoNJwq_Q1VL_e
https://youtu.be/Sz9MJr72fWg?si=l3J0lv7D-66snymz
GAMING VIDEOS :
https://youtu.be/iJPkx3v635E?si=TjNp-wBiXZX56nk4
https://youtu.be/xO2qo0VnDzw?si=pSx4SsFsdtjko3HE
Thank you very much for reading! I hope in working with ya soon !

Greetings to all ! My name is Alyssa quill You've probably read the title already but Let's get on with introducing myself before we get into the main point of how I'll be working.
As you already know my name already we'll just start with my age, I'm 17. I started working on Reddit and on this community few years ago by 2021 and I began editing with 7 years of experience. Let's move on with my editing SOFTWARE Which is
• Adobe Premiere Pro • After Effects • Photoshop premium • Alight Motion • Capcut (PC)
I have great experience in using these software in a way of working with you!
Let's get to the main point where the title says yep! You read it right! I can most definitely edit in multiple editing styles, Well not directly of course you need to present me an example of how you want me to edit your video like an inspiration. I won't fully copy and paste the editing style you've presented me to your video since that would cause trouble but I would use some materials and the highlights of what you'd want for your video.
Here are some of the videos I worked on! ( Note : most of them are done last year since I took a break on working for a while.
COMMENTARY VIDEOS :
https://youtu.be/trZXd_eL0Rg?si=oETZoSxb3ZSmMdyH
https://youtu.be/BQaA39En_WI?si=ue9W5yukBjM83Hcn
https://youtu.be/VkNIpvKnj7k?si=RpLTnYmgsHKwpjM8
https://youtu.be/v22Y-Khtywc?si=DipPV8UgSx8fvYs8
ANALOG HORROR VIDEOS :
https://youtu.be/2L1KLjmDrMc?si=hU6GoNJwq_Q1VL_e
https://youtu.be/Sz9MJr72fWg?si=l3J0lv7D-66snymz
GAMING VIDEOS :
https://youtu.be/iJPkx3v635E?si=TjNp-wBiXZX56nk4
https://youtu.be/xO2qo0VnDzw?si=pSx4SsFsdtjko3HE
Thank you very much for reading! I hope in working with ya soon !

Hello! I am planning on getting a consultation with a top surgeon near me soon and am super excited!! i seem to be lucky in the aspect that my state (U.S. based for extra context) takes insurance and had an anti-trans insurance law reversed last year, so i will likely have a very small bill for my surgery.
I have been looking into top surgery and wanting it since my fem puberty started around 9-12 years ago, and especially after I started T in late 2021 since it really kicked off the innate need to have my boobs gone. I have a basic understanding of what goes on, for example:
i know there are multiple types of surgeries, and the type you are able to get depends on chest size, and the amount of tissue you have. i know that some people opt for no nipples, but it’s common for people to keep them and have them stitched back on.
I know you shouldn’t smoke around a month leading up to the surgery, and some people are advised to stop taking testosterone, although i have seen debates on whether it’s necessary since cisgender men who undergo surgery don’t have to go on T blockers beforehand, and despite it being recommended- i notice that it’s usually up to the person getting top surgery whether or not to stop hormones.
i know that some people are given drains after the surgery, but some surgeons in specific states or countries utilize a type of incision/technique that helps with leaving little to no fluid buildup so drains aren’t needed. I know that lifting your arms up and moving around a lot is generally not a good idea since you risk ripping something, being in pain, popping stitches, etc.
i know that nipple grafts can fail, and sometimes people need revisions if they aren’t happy with results.
I feel like with baseline information about the surgery, i am pretty solid with understanding what happens and what will go down, but i do have an inkling i’m missing some more vital parts or bits of information here and there. i don’t know much about what TO do after surgery, i more so know what not to do so anything regarding how to make recovery safe and comfortable would be helpful :)
I would really appreciate if there is anything i’m missing or seem to have been misinformed about, along with any general tips, or ideas about what i should expect.
also if anyone has any resources on top surgery that seem like i would benefit from considering what i already know would be helpful! i am autistic and have some trauma regarding medical settings, so any and all little bits of information no matter how insignificant it seems would help put me at ease. i like to know everything and anything i can about a medical situation or important life experience like this so i don’t get overwhelmed and scared.
thank you :,)

Hi all, I have been lurking on this subreddit for a while and thought I would leave my views on an LLC service I have been using for the last few years; Northwest Registered Agent.
I think maybe this one goes under the radar a little compared to some of the other names with bigger marketing budgets. Maybe I am wrong.
Anyway, let's start with who they are.
Headquartered in Spokane, Washington, Northwest Registered Agent is primarily an LLC formation service. With operational offices throughout all 50 states they have quite the presence. They have been around for over 20 years and have a well-established reputation within the industry.
Actually, I'll jump to something I saw on the website: The Northwest Registered Agent Guarantee.
Basically, Northwest offers a 100% Error-Free Guarantee:
“We form hundreds of LLCs every day, and each filing is backed by our 100% error-free guarantee. Although extremely rare, in the 20 years we’ve been in business, we’ve learned that mistakes do happen. Should an error occur, we’ll file every amendment required to make sure your company information is accurate (at no cost to you).”
I've not had to call upon this, but it is reassuring to know that I can if anything goes wrong.
Okay, let's run through exactly what the service offers:

Services provided by Northwest Registered Agent

LLC Formation:
For a fee of $39 plus the state fee, Northwest facilitates the creation of LLCs, including checking name availability and filing the necessary paperwork with the state government, typically known as the Articles of Organization (or similar titles in certain states).
This fee also covers the provision of free Registered Agent service for the first year. Additionally, Northwest provides complementary services such as Annual Report reminders, mail scanning and uploading, and lifetime customer support with each order.
Pricing for LLC Formation
For LLC formation, Northwest Registered Agent charges:

• LLC Formation: $39 plus the state fee
• Registered Agent Service: Free for the first year, then $125 per year
• Address Privacy: Provided for free

(Head to this page at Northwest for details of any latest offers)
Registered Agent Service:
Northwest offers Registered Agent service free of charge for the first year when hired for LLC formation. Subsequently, the service renews at $125 per year. A Registered Agent accepts legal mail (Service of Process) and state notices on behalf of an LLC.
Federal Tax ID Number (EIN):
For $50, Northwest can obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS for clients with a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). For non-U.S. residents without an SSN or ITIN, the fee for obtaining an EIN is $200.
LLC Operating Agreement:
Northwest provides LLC Operating Agreements, which detail ownership percentages and management structure, for $50.
Additional Services:
Northwest offers various additional services, including obtaining a Certificate of Good Standing for $50, necessary for registering an LLC as a Foreign LLC in another state, and providing Certified Copies for $60, required in certain states for the same purpose.
They also offer a free trial for a business phone number, with a renewal fee of $9 per month if the service is continued.
Furthermore, Northwest assists in setting up merchant accounts for credit card processing, with pricing dependent on transaction volume.

Pros and Cons of Northwest Registered Agent

I don't want to turn this into a mega review, I started this post actually want to highlight the fact Northwest have been pretty damn good for my LLC needs.
Here's the some of the pros and cons all the same...
Pros of Northwest Registered Agent:

• Private Address: Northwest Registered Agent offers the advantage of keeping your address off public records, a feature exclusive to their service.
• Customer Support: Their customer support is highly regarded, providing assistance for any inquiries you may have.
• Competitive Pricing: Northwest Registered Agent offers reasonable prices, with potential discounts available such as the LLCU discount.
• Established Reputation: With over 20 years in business, Northwest Registered Agent brings a wealth of experience to their services.
• Data Privacy: Unlike many competitors, Northwest Registered Agent does not sell customer data, prioritizing the protection of client information.
• Strategic Locations: They have offices strategically located in states with publication requirements like Arizona, New York, and Nebraska, potentially saving clients money on compliance.

Cons of Northwest Registered Agent:

• Pricing: While Northwest Registered Agent may not be the most budget-friendly option, quality service understandably comes at a slightly higher cost. Having said that, there is a low priced option without frills if you still want to use them.

It's worth noting that in comparisons with other LLC filing companies, Northwest Registered Agent consistently performs well, with no significant bad reviews that I have managed to find.

Overall Thoughts

Overall, strong customer service and expertise in the industry is probably the main reason to choose Northwest Registered Agent.
They also prioritize client privacy by keeping addresses off public records and refraining from selling data to third parties.
I have to say, after my own experience of using Northwest Registered Agent for my LLC I can confidently recommend their services. It's been enough for me to step to write this put it that way. :)
If you have used them too, have an opinion or want to ask me any questions, feel free to leave them below or DM me.
Cheers guys...

Relevant Information

Core Services
Northwest Registered Agent provides the following core services:

• LLC Formation Service
• Registered Agent Service
• Address Privacy (keeping your address off public record)
• Lifetime Customer Support
• Annual Report Reminders
• Online Document Dashboard

Additional Services
Additionally, Northwest offers the following extra services:

• EIN Number Acquisition
• Annual Report Service
• Operating Agreements
• Virtual Office Service
• S-Corp Election Assistance
• Mail Forwarding Service
• Foreign Qualification Support
• Legal Forms Provision
• Legal Services (specifically in Utah)
• Incorporation Services

(For full disclosure, I have used an affiliate link to Northwest in this post.)

Hi all,
I'm in a dispute with Three and could really use some external help to make sure my argument in the dispute is watertight.
Context:
I ordered some broadband from Three around 2 months ago, the router was delivered to a neighbour in my block of flats. It was "signed for" under my name and a proof of delivery photograph featuring a headless woman was the evidence. All the doors and carpets in my building look the same so there was no distinguishing features to give an indication of who it was.
I asked around the neighbours over the next few days and everyone said they hadn't received a parcel. I also sent a letter around giving whoever had the parcel an ultimatum to leave it in front of my door before I opened an investigation and no one came forward - so clearly someone was lying.
I contacted Three about this and they said they'd look into it, a week later they said they looked into it and the device was confirmed delivered - to which I said that it was delivered ot the wrong address - their reply was that there was GPS evidence, to which I replied that the GPS evidence could represent any one of the 25 flats in this building and that the photographic evidence of someone recieving the parcel was someone who was not me.
I offered to give further evidnce, via proof of signature, a picture of myself to show that it was not me who had signed for the parcel which Three refused to accept reiterating that their position was that the parcel had been delivered.
At this point I escalated the case to the Ombudsman.
After closing heir internal complaint Three then began to aggressively pursue payment from me, despite me contacting them numerous times to tell them that the issue is with the Ombudsman and I wouldn't be paying for anything as the contract terms hadn't been met.
Three's argument:
Now in the Ombudsman investigation Three's claims are:

• The GPS info and delivery photo is evidence that confirms that the router was delivered
• None of the neighbours have said they have the device
• This needs to be disputed with DPD directly for them to complete an investigation with the driver
• I am liable for paying for the service until I can give evidence that the device was not received -They've confirmed that there's no useage on the device or the mobile number

My counter argument:
My counter argument would be:

• Three has a responsibility as the sender to ensure the goods I undertook a contract for were delivered, any issues between DPD and Three before the item was delivered to me have nothing to do with me and are a seperate issue between Three and DPD, which Three is currently using as an excuse to not fulfill the contract.
• Three has repeatedly refused to give any avenue to prove that the individual represented in the claimed photographic evidence is not me, including any photographs of myself and my signature
• The notion of "giving evidence that the device has not been recieved" does not make any sense as I'm being asked to prove a negative - what could this evidence even look like if the device is not in my possession? The only evidence is already possesed by Three, which is an image of the device being delivered to someone who clearly isn't me, and they've confirmed that the device hasn't been used, neither has the mobile number.
• Three has repeatedly harrassed me for payments and given complaint updates on my account, even if I had wanted to manage the payments or read these notes I wouldn't be able to as to log into the Three customer portal one needs the mobile number of the account, which I don't have.
• I cannot identify any possible motive that Three could think I have. If I had any intentions of cancelling the contract after recieving the device, I could have done so within the cooling off period, but I called Three about the undelivered item well before this period ended. The device itself has little to no monetary value and is useless without a Three broadband contract which Three themselves have confirmed has not been made use of. -I've repeatedly given Three the opportunity to remedy the situation to no avail
• The terms and conditions state that Three is responsible for supplying me the equipment, which they have failed to do so, hence holding me liable whilst failing to uphold their own terms makes no sense.

My spouse is currently 42 Days sober out of rehab, and I am so proud! So many positive changes, and I can see his heart, its an amazing feeling. Unfortunately I was under the misguided impression that when he became sober, he would be completely out of the “psychosis” and realize that what he had been accusing me of, was just bizarre and not true. Yet here we sit, trying to show each other love, yet I know in the back of his mind, he legitimately believes he caught me in MULTIPLE porn video’s(which he sent to me while I was working), sleeping with his family members, male and female, ages ranging from high school, up to 50’s…strangers, all the neighbors…you name it, he accused me of it. Even when these women look nothing like me and they are covering their eyes. So i guess my question isn’t why he feels this way, because I’ve read about all i could read about drug induced psychosis…but more a question as to maybe how long, or is this idea going to stay planted forever? He refuses to watch the video’s he sent me before going to rehab. I had kept them as my “proof” per se that they weren’t me, but he believes he will just be triggered by watching them because he is afraid he will still “see me” in them, even though I have never done such a thing in my life, and 110% those women are not me. In my mind I’m thinking, what better solution to the problem, than to watch the videos with sober eyes and realize they aren’t me, wouldn’t that be a damn relief, for the both of us? Obviously not a relief if his brain could truly cause him to picture my face on other peoples bodies, but of course I’m not thinking of that, when I know that no way in hell these people are me, just like I cant possibly understand where he is coming from, he cannot see perspective from my side either, when this is quite literally reality versus drug induced psychosis… Has anyone experienced this situation? I cannot help but to feel offended by these accusations, and the strong desire to prove my innocence. What I cannot seem to get on board with, is the idea that he needs to just be able to deal with “my cheating” “accept it” and be able to “move on”…because that is offensive to my sensibilities. I WAS THE ONE WHO WAS ACTualLY BETRAYED…so those resentments and feelings of a need for forgivingness belong to me, how can I watch someone try to “get over, and be okay with” something I never did…that cannot be the best solution to the problem, because for the rest of our lives, can he then claim to be triggered by the fact that I had cheated on him, even if only in his head, and I must feel some sort of pity for him, and treat the situation delicately like I have anything to be sorry for, and feel empathy for him? Selfishly I am speaking now, but those feelings of betrayal belong to me, I am the one who is destroyed inside, lacking confidence, feeling like I wasn’t enough, but does the success of his recovery process mean that I must make myself small once again and allow him to believe that he is working on forgiveness for my actions? That is such a damn hard pill to swallow…although, I would do it, I just want there to be another answer. He cheated on me multiple times over multiple years, so I’m aware that he may be projecting his own insecurities onto me because of his guilt, and I need to be sensitive to the fact that what happened in his head was very real to him…but how do I maneuver around the ideas put into his head when he was experiencing psychosis, now that his brain is healing and he is sober? I hoped that there would just be a “TADAAA” moment when he was sober, that he would finally see what I had been seeing this whole time, but is that too much to hope for? I have stayed by his side, and tried to be his strongest supporter, I have tried to take on all child and financial responsibilities, and I am emotionally wore out…yet I must be met with questions about WHERE the money to do the supporting is coming from…because it couldn’t possibly be the job that I’ve maintained…while being alone to take care of the child a majority of his life, and making sure I drove all the way across the state whenever I was allowed to visit at rehab. I cannot help but to feel anger when I am struggling so much and fighting for what I know my reality is, yet trying to be supportive for him, barely getting sleep, and continuing to go to work…and then be accused of getting money from anywhere but the job that my bank account and paystubs can verify. I love him more than he will ever know, but my anger that he would accuse me of such things, is starting to be replaced by sadness. I do not necessarily want to feel sorry for him, because I know this is not fair to me, but how can I not have empathy for the person I love so much, that actually feels somewhat broken hearted, even if not because of my true actions…? To look into the eyes of someone you love, and know that this isn’t just a game, that they are feeling true pain, based on facts that have become so real to them in their head…it breaks my heart, even though I have no guilt to carry, as I have never been unfaithful. I wanted to be mad for the longest time, but it hurts different when you know that scenes, and photos, and voices were actually playing over in their heads, and they actually feel they were betrayed…how do we prepare ourselves for situations like this? He was absolutely awful to me when he was high, accused me of every disgusting act, with strangers, his family, anyone. I was called every name in the book, but I just tried to research what this drug was doing to him, I felt knowledge could help me to separate my feelings from myself so I could just try to understand what was going on, and because deaf and numb to how he was making me feel. I already know that I struggle with depression, insecurity, and an unhealthy need to belong and be desired by my partner, so I had to go to extreme lengths to prove I cared, and a lot of those lengths compromised me, and they were at my expense, because I am not okay, but I focus on him and his recovery so that I don’t have to deal with those feelings for now. I felt I owed it to our 4 year old son, to try and help his father, and I also selfishly believed that I deserved a good man, after all the ****, it was my turn to be happy, and I had chosen his…God had chosen him to lead my family, so i wasn’t going to give up on him. How do I now not feel like I have to spend every moment feeling I have to try and prove something that never happened? I know what infidelity did to me, to my very core, I am not okay, a large part due to the fact that I still could never imagine flirting with another man, let alone having sex with them, it makes me sick, that’s how ridiculously faithful I am in my heart, and mind…that my body would never do what he was able to do to me. I have to try and tell myself, although I know it isn’t true, he doesn’t, and what if he is feeling the same way in his gut, that I feel because of actions he actually took? Is this a life sentence? How long does reality take to set back in, or are the memories that occurred during psychosis permanent?? Is this a problem that now sits as a dark shadow over our relationship, that he must “deal with”…or is there hope that a day comes where that paranoia and delusional thinking gets exposed, and clear thinking can prove to himself that what he thought was true, never was? I want an epiphany…not just acceptance from him, I want him to know absolutely that I didn’t deserve his behaviors and that I have always been true and stood right there, I need a miracle… I cannot picture a happy future with someone who feels they must forgive me for something that I didn’t do, that specific something being my largest daily struggle, trying not to think of that her, that woman who came like a tornado through me, she destroyed any sort of positive thinking I had started accumulating towards myself, anything good I felt I had to offer, and sense of confidence I may have built in myself when I fell in love with him, gone… the moment I realized that I wasn’t enough, over ,and over, and over again…the thought of that infidelity tears my stomach up when I have to think about it, so if some storyline is playing in his head, and he feels betrayed… if we are both that hurt, how does our story end, if sobriety doesn’t mean clear eyes on the same situation?

My spouse is currently 42 Days sober out of rehab, and I am so proud! So many positive changes, and I can see his heart, its an amazing feeling. Unfortunately I was under the misguided impression that when he became sober, he would be completely out of the “psychosis” and realize that what he had been accusing me of, was just bizarre and not true. Yet here we sit, trying to show each other love, yet I know in the back of his mind, he legitimately believes he caught me in MULTIPLE porn video’s(which he sent to me while I was working), sleeping with his family members, male and female, ages ranging from high school, up to 50’s…strangers, all the neighbors…you name it, he accused me of it. Even when these women look nothing like me and they are covering their eyes. So i guess my question isn’t why he feels this way, because I’ve read about all i could read about drug induced psychosis…but more a question as to maybe how long, or is this idea going to stay planted forever? He refuses to watch the video’s he sent me before going to rehab. I had kept them as my “proof” per se that they weren’t me, but he believes he will just be triggered by watching them because he is afraid he will still “see me” in them, even though I have never done such a thing in my life, and 110% those women are not me. In my mind I’m thinking, what better solution to the problem, than to watch the videos with sober eyes and realize they aren’t me, wouldn’t that be a damn relief, for the both of us? Obviously not a relief if his brain could truly cause him to picture my face on other peoples bodies, but of course I’m not thinking of that, when I know that no way in hell these people are me, just like I cant possibly understand where he is coming from, he cannot see perspective from my side either, when this is quite literally reality versus drug induced psychosis… Has anyone experienced this situation? I cannot help but to feel offended by these accusations, and the strong desire to prove my innocence. What I cannot seem to get on board with, is the idea that he needs to just be able to deal with “my cheating” “accept it” and be able to “move on”…because that is offensive to my sensibilities. I WAS THE ONE WHO WAS ACTualLY BETRAYED…so those resentments and feelings of a need for forgivingness belong to me, how can I watch someone try to “get over, and be okay with” something I never did…that cannot be the best solution to the problem, because for the rest of our lives, can he then claim to be triggered by the fact that I had cheated on him, even if only in his head, and I must feel some sort of pity for him, and treat the situation delicately like I have anything to be sorry for, and feel empathy for him? Selfishly I am speaking now, but those feelings of betrayal belong to me, I am the one who is destroyed inside, lacking confidence, feeling like I wasn’t enough, but does the success of his recovery process mean that I must make myself small once again and allow him to believe that he is working on forgiveness for my actions? That is such a damn hard pill to swallow…although, I would do it, I just want there to be another answer. He cheated on me multiple times over multiple years, so I’m aware that he may be projecting his own insecurities onto me because of his guilt, and I need to be sensitive to the fact that what happened in his head was very real to him…but how do I maneuver around the ideas put into his head when he was experiencing psychosis, now that his brain is healing and he is sober? I hoped that there would just be a “TADAAA” moment when he was sober, that he would finally see what I had been seeing this whole time, but is that too much to hope for? I have stayed by his side, and tried to be his strongest supporter, I have tried to take on all child and financial responsibilities, and I am emotionally wore out…yet I must be met with questions about WHERE the money to do the supporting is coming from…because it couldn’t possibly be the job that I’ve maintained…while being alone to take care of the child a majority of his life, and making sure I drove all the way across the state whenever I was allowed to visit at rehab. I cannot help but to feel anger when I am struggling so much and fighting for what I know my reality is, yet trying to be supportive for him, barely getting sleep, and continuing to go to work…and then be accused of getting money from anywhere but the job that my bank account and paystubs can verify. I love him more than he will ever know, but my anger that he would accuse me of such things, is starting to be replaced by sadness. I do not necessarily want to feel sorry for him, because I know this is not fair to me, but how can I not have empathy for the person I love so much, that actually feels somewhat broken hearted, even if not because of my true actions…? To look into the eyes of someone you love, and know that this isn’t just a game, that they are feeling true pain, based on facts that have become so real to them in their head…it breaks my heart, even though I have no guilt to carry, as I have never been unfaithful. I wanted to be mad for the longest time, but it hurts different when you know that scenes, and photos, and voices were actually playing over in their heads, and they actually feel they were betrayed…how do we prepare ourselves for situations like this? He was absolutely awful to me when he was high, accused me of every disgusting act, with strangers, his family, anyone. I was called every name in the book, but I just tried to research what this drug was doing to him, I felt knowledge could help me to separate my feelings from myself so I could just try to understand what was going on, and because deaf and numb to how he was making me feel. I already know that I struggle with depression, insecurity, and an unhealthy need to belong and be desired by my partner, so I had to go to extreme lengths to prove I cared, and a lot of those lengths compromised me, and they were at my expense, because I am not okay, but I focus on him and his recovery so that I don’t have to deal with those feelings for now. I felt I owed it to our 4 year old son, to try and help his father, and I also selfishly believed that I deserved a good man, after all the ****, it was my turn to be happy, and I had chosen his…God had chosen him to lead my family, so i wasn’t going to give up on him. How do I now not feel like I have to spend every moment feeling I have to try and prove something that never happened? I know what infidelity did to me, to my very core, I am not okay, a large part due to the fact that I still could never imagine flirting with another man, let alone having sex with them, it makes me sick, that’s how ridiculously faithful I am in my heart, and mind…that my body would never do what he was able to do to me. I have to try and tell myself, although I know it isn’t true, he doesn’t, and what if he is feeling the same way in his gut, that I feel because of actions he actually took? Is this a life sentence? How long does reality take to set back in, or are the memories that occurred during psychosis permanent?? Is this a problem that now sits as a dark shadow over our relationship, that he must “deal with”…or is there hope that a day comes where that paranoia and delusional thinking gets exposed, and clear thinking can prove to himself that what he thought was true, never was? I want an epiphany…not just acceptance from him, I want him to know absolutely that I didn’t deserve his behaviors and that I have always been true and stood right there, I need a miracle… I cannot picture a happy future with someone who feels they must forgive me for something that I didn’t do, that specific something being my largest daily struggle, trying not to think of that her, that woman who came like a tornado through me, she destroyed any sort of positive thinking I had started accumulating towards myself, anything good I felt I had to offer, and sense of confidence I may have built in myself when I fell in love with him, gone… the moment I realized that I wasn’t enough, over ,and over, and over again…the thought of that infidelity tears my stomach up when I have to think about it, so if some storyline is playing in his head, and he feels betrayed… if we are both that hurt, how does our story end, if sobriety doesn’t mean clear eyes on the same situation?

Do any of you like the team asymmetry in terms of vehicles? I personaly dont like it, but since it is a signature gimmick in almost every bf game I assume most people probably like it, I just wonder why.
If you need an example of what I mean, US team has a jet that can hover, the RU team does not. RU team has attack heli that can equip autocanon for pilot slot, US side does not have that as far as I know.
Edit: also I dont know if this is true, but it looks like the jets also have a very different hit box size and shape, is this true? And if so, is it fair?.

I miss high school and college where I got a chance to ask the teacher questions.
At my University, professors just hate it when students try to ask a question. They rush off after class, and make themselves totally unavailable. They run maybe 1 or 2 question sessions before an exam, but I’ve been to all of them and it’s impossible to speak to an instructor. Most of the time, there’s 1-2 teachers for a course of 200+ students! I’ve tried waiting in line but the teachers leave before I get a turn to speak to someone.
I tried to email one of my professors with 4 questions about the content. I figured since I hadn’t bothered any teachers from that course with questions all semester, 4 questions wouldn’t be too bad. Before I sent these questions, I made sure to watch all the lecture and tutorial recordings, I even watched some twice to make sure I got as much out of them as I possibly could.
The reply I got was rather rude, the professor told me to watch the lectures and tutorials because I clearly hadn’t done that. And if I still have questions I have to go to the question session.
My grades are so much lower because my questions go unanswered, and it’s so frustrating and terribly discouraging. I genuinely just need some help and I’m paying tens of thousands to go to this school!

Tl;dr: My first love was coined just as therapist relationship.
Myself(20M), From the beginning it was on and off story, she(18F) had left her past and embraced new journey with me which held strong for an year and on and off for 3 years because we were still kids and facing board exams. My part of love started like when I was 15(she was 13) and confessed when she was 16 (I was 18). She had also told me to wait till her board exams and I did wait for her for an year and (still waiting...)
I never ever questioned she had her past relationship once ( when she was much younger) . When she said that she would like to have a fresh start and promised me. I believed that mistakes happen and I thought not everyone would be lucky and let my first love at stake. I forgave her and believed her for this.
I believed in her for the new start. It was strong - you know when people write old type love letters always to each other and shared a docs file to write down everything and plan future and all. I had even documented every past visit/meetups and all as a story and she was too. It was great to experience both sides again after the meetups in text format. Like literally our history is like 200+ pages.
Now somehow the old past came back and she is now saying that she was just therapist-ing me for my rough childhood days and she was just helping me.
Now you only tell me, someone whom you discuss all your past and plan life with and share many personal stuff ends up being just therapist-ing each other?? I am not blaming my old past or her leaving me.. the title which she gave to my precious little first true love as therapist relationship. That hurt me in all possible ways. I don't have 6packs nor do I look handsome, my pros are having patience and being calm. She said her past bf is more calmer and has more patience than me . I cannot compete with someone with my best trait when it is having patience. I guess my boon became a curse. If that's how I need to prove my love then I shall wait.. for her
What hurt me the most is that.. two sided love story turned (coined) into a therapist story. Or atleast that was the reason given by her.
Yet here I am desperate about my first true love and still waiting for her when she seems to be long gone. If that's(having patience) how I need to prove my love then I shall wait.. for her... With all those love letters that I have stacked with me...

Even typing the question in the title sounded creepy lol but I'll give some background information: I'm about to graduate high school and go to college. I was an 8th grader in middle school in 2020 and then the pandmeic happened and I never saw that school or any of the teachers again. In 8th grade I had this one teacher who I looked up to so dearly. She was grumpy and mean to everyone else but for some reason kind to me. We talked more than her other students. When I got a boyfriend she would ask me about him and even told him once that I reminded her of a younger version of herself (he wasn't even one of her students she just stopped him to say that to him). I struggled so much mentally when I was that age and going to school was so hard for me but she always made it better.
I believe March 13, 2020 was the last day most people had school before everything went crazy but ours was the day before because a pipe or something broke in the school. That day we were going to be sent home early because of the pipe breaking and we had to wait in our classroom for the buses to come pick us up. There were only a few kids left (including me) waiting for the bus to come. My teacher went to another classroom to talk to a teacher and brought back my boyfriend to let us sit together while we waited and that was the last time I ever saw her :(
I think of her a lot still to this day. I'm so sad I never had a chance to tell her how much she meant to me. She helped me through such a hard time in my life and I wish she knew. I really want her to know how much she inspires me still to this day and I feel like this is a good time since I'm about to graduate.
This is when we get to the question in the title. I grew up in a small town and I don't live there anymore and after covid I did online school and I have since then. To find her I looked up the school I used to go to and I tried to see if there was somewhere I could email her but she doesn't seem to work at that school anymore. She has a very unique name so I looked her up to see if she was on facebook or anything but she wasn't. I did, however, find an address on one of those public record websites when I searched her name. She doesn't live in the town I used to live anymore but she does live close to it. In the previous addresses the town I used to live in is listed. I believe this is her because like I said she has a very unique name and the age listed sounds correct. Even if it isn't her I would still like to try.
Would it be creepy to send a letter to the address I found online? She's quite old so I don't want to put it off until like 20 years when she possibly isn't here anymore. She helped me through so much and she's the only teacher I've felt a connection to. She was never anything but kind to me and I just want to thank her. Even if there's a chance it isn't her I would still like to try. What would you do? :)

Not every question needs a backstory or long explanation but it is still a question that you would like answered. This is weekly thread is setup to allow a chance for people to ask general questions that they may not feel is worthy of a full post to the sub.
Examples:

• What is the job market like in Birmingham, AL?
• Should I wear socks with sandals on an interview?
• Should I sign up for Networking 101 or Programming 101 next semester?

Please keep things civil and constructive!
​
MOD NOTE: This will be a weekly post.

Setting Up Your Email Subject on Android

In the ever-evolving world of mobile communications, email remains a steadfast tool for personal and professional exchanges. Android users, in particular, benefit from a versatile operating system that allows for a high degree of customization, including the ability to set default actions and preferences for their email applications. Whether you're a business professional looking to streamline your communication processes or an individual aiming to organize your inbox more efficiently, understanding how to configure your email client on Android can significantly enhance your emailing experience.
This guide will delve into the specifics of setting the subject line in your preferred email client on Android devices. By adjusting this setting, you can save time and increase productivity by predefining subject lines for various types of emails. This not only aids in maintaining consistency across your communications but also helps in managing your emails more effectively. The process involves a few simple steps that can be easily implemented by users of any technical skill level, ensuring that everyone can optimize their email usage on Android.

Command	Description
Intent	Used to start email activities within Android applications.
putExtra	Adds extended data to the intent for email subject, body, etc.
setType	Sets the MIME type for the email intent.
startActivity	Launches an email client installed on the Android device.

Understanding Email Configuration on Android

Setting the subject in the default email client on Android devices is more than just a matter of convenience; it's about making the most out of the email communication process. With the sheer volume of emails sent and received daily, having a pre-set subject line can significantly streamline your email management. This feature is particularly beneficial for business users who frequently send emails with similar subjects, such as weekly reports, updates to team members, or notifications to clients. By pre-defining these subjects, users can reduce the time spent on composing emails, ensuring consistency and reducing the likelihood of sending emails without a subject. Furthermore, this customization reflects the flexibility of Android's operating system, which allows users to tailor their devices to their specific needs and preferences, enhancing overall productivity and efficiency.
However, configuring the default email client on Android to include a predefined subject requires understanding the capabilities of your email application and possibly leveraging intent filters in Android app development. Intent filters are used to specify the type of intents an application can respond to. For instance, when you compose an email through an app, an intent is created with action SEND or SENDTO, and you can include extra data such as the email's subject, body, and recipients. Developers can use this to build apps or features within apps that automate filling in certain parts of an email. This functionality not only serves to improve user experience by saving time but also opens up possibilities for app developers to create more personalized and efficient communication tools on the Android platform.

Email Subject Configuration Example

Android Development Code

Intent emailIntent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_SEND); emailIntent.setType("message/rfc822"); emailIntent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_EMAIL, new String[] {"recipient@example.com"}); emailIntent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_SUBJECT, "Subject Text"); emailIntent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_TEXT, "Body of the email"); try { startActivity(Intent.createChooser(emailIntent, "Send mail...")); } catch (android.content.ActivityNotFoundException ex) { Toast.makeText(YourActivity.this, "There are no email clients installed.", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show(); } 

Enhancing Email Efficiency on Android

Email has become an indispensable part of our daily communications, especially in the professional world where promptness and efficiency are key. On Android, setting the default email client to include specific subjects for emails can significantly enhance this efficiency. This functionality is not just a mere convenience but a strategic tool for managing communications more effectively. For example, individuals can set up their devices to automatically include subjects for routine emails, such as daily reports or meeting reminders. This not only saves time but also helps in organizing emails better, making it easier to search for and categorize messages.
Moreover, this feature is a boon for app developers and marketers who regularly engage with users via email. By pre-setting subjects, they can ensure their messages are consistent and recognizable, increasing the likelihood of their emails being opened and read. Additionally, this capability underscores the customizable nature of the Android platform, allowing users to tailor their devices to fit their personal and professional needs. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, such features will play a crucial role in enhancing communication workflows, thereby improving productivity and user satisfaction.

FAQs on Email Configuration in Android

1. Question: Can I set a default subject line for all outgoing emails on Android?
2. Answer: Yes, but it depends on the email client you are using. Some clients allow for this customization directly, while others may require additional steps or apps.
3. Question: Is it possible to automate the email subject line for specific types of emails?
4. Answer: Yes, through the use of intent filters and Android app development, you can automate subject lines for specific scenarios.
5. Question: Will setting a default subject line affect how I receive emails?
6. Answer: No, it only affects the emails you send, not the ones you receive.
7. Question: Can I change the default subject line setting after I've set it?
8. Answer: Yes, you can always modify your email client's settings to change or remove the default subject line.
9. Question: Do all Android email clients support setting a default subject line?
10. Answer: Not all, but many popular email clients offer some level of customization for this feature. Check your specific client's settings or support documentation.
11. Question: How does setting a default subject line improve email management?
12. Answer: It helps in categorizing and finding emails faster, besides ensuring consistency in communication.
13. Question: Is there a way to set different default subject lines for different types of emails?
14. Answer: Yes, this can be achieved through custom app development or using specific email management apps that offer this functionality.
15. Question: Can setting a default subject line help in reducing email clutter?
16. Answer: Yes, by making emails more searchable and categorizable, it can help in managing and reducing clutter.
17. Question: Are there any security concerns with automating email subjects on Android?
18. Answer: As long as you are using reputable apps and services, there should be minimal security concerns. However, always be cautious about the permissions you grant to apps.

Streamlining Communication with Android

Configuring the default subject line in Android's email clients represents a significant step towards streamlining communication and enhancing productivity. This customization option not only simplifies the process of sending emails but also aids in better organization and quicker retrieval of messages. For businesses and individuals alike, the ability to pre-set subjects for emails means less time spent on repetitive tasks and more time focusing on content. Moreover, this feature underlines the adaptable and user-friendly nature of Android devices, allowing users to tailor their email experiences to their specific needs. As we move forward in an increasingly digital world, such functionalities become crucial in managing our digital communications effectively. Ultimately, setting a default subject line is a small but powerful tool in the arsenal of Android users, offering a blend of convenience, efficiency, and customization that can significantly improve the email management process.
https://www.tempmail.us.com/en/android/configuring-the-default-email-client-subject-line-on-android

I moved into my current rented property in June 2021 with a 1 year tenancy agreement. On the day I was handed keys the landlord mentioned that behind the big fence in our garden was also his plot of land and he was planning to build another property on it. This was never mentioned during our initial viewing or negotiating contract stage. After an argument with the agent we amended the contract to include a break clause.
I lived in the property for a year and renewed the tenancy for another year. No building work had commenced on the other plot of land. I saw the landlord in December 2023 and he mentioned his plan to start building at beginning of January 2024. It had been 4 years of planning application but he finally was ready to begin.
January 2024 came and went, no building work commenced. March 2024, the agent asks me if I would like to stay on at the property or move as the tenancy is coming to an end in June. I say that I would like to stay. A few weeks later the agent states the landlord would like to renew the tenancy but increase the rent. I try to negotiate a lower rent and the agent says the landlord is firm.
I agree the rent increase and am sent a renewed tenancy agreement to sign. It's mid-April and I sign off the tenancy agreement. However, the landlord has not signed the agreement.
About a week after I sign the agreement, the landlord texts me that he wants to have a chat about his building project. Next day he shows up and states he wants to run a hose from our garden over the fence to his building site along with an electricity cable using my utility supply. His building site needs water and electricity and for some reason he didn't arrange this in 4 years of planning.
Going into this discussion, I know that he has not signed the agreement (he probably also knows that I know this). I wasn't happy that he acted dishonestly by raising the rent, getting me to sign and then dropping the news. It felt like he was deliberately not signing in an act of blackmail. After thinking about his proposition, I tell him I feel uncomfortable and don't want to share my utilities and was surprised that he did not mention commencing building works when we were negotiating the renewal.
I worded my email very nicely and just explained I would like to be kept separate to the building project and to enjoy the property in peace. No further reply was received from the landlord.
I noticed the landlord has STILL not signed the agreement. I call the agent at end of April and am told he has 6 weeks to sign and they have not heard anything from the landlord to suggest there's a problem. I am informed if he does not sign, then we go to a 1 month rolling contract. This does not sound right! I can't help but feel there's some games being played in the background and maybe he's going to pull out the "I have to sell the property" card, or look for different tenants.
My questions are:

1. Have I formed an agreement for renewal already? We negotiated rent, they sent out contracts for signing - surely there was intention to form a contract? Do I need his signature or is that considered "pro forma"
   
2. If the landlord doesn't sign, where does that leave me in June when it expires? I have no place to go and can't be expected to find a place with a few days' notice. I have been a good tenant and don't want to be hassled by Section 21 / eviction - the landlord should be upfront about his intentions if we soured things for not bending over to his utility requests.
   
3. If the landlord doesn't sign and I am still in the property in June: do I pay the current rent rate, or should I pay the increased rent rate which he has not signed off? I feel that if I pay the new rent rate it will support the idea that the renewal has commenced. Their acceptance of the rent would support this notion.
   
4. If I see a different property next week which I like. Can I void this agreement considering the landlord has not signed? I understand there is no cooling off period in tenancy agreements, but surely the other party has to sign within a reasonable period to the other? It's almost taken him a month to sign and he has failed to!
   

Thank you for any advice.

This is a rant about my stuff.
I took everything to my ex's place, was rushed, and one bin of stuff never fully dried and I opened the bin, today. Now I have to rewash everything inside and see what's salvageable.
I want to properly do the Kon Mari method, but clothes have been such a sore issue and I'm waiting to actually fit into stuff again. I habe alot of hangups around clothes I am trying to work through first while trying to consolidate my stuff from 3 locations into mainly 1 location. Also, I am in a program with personal property restrictions that I could only bring a couple of bins at a time, and the Kon Mari method says to make a pile of all of your clothes, pick your favorite things and use that as a guide to figure out what does or doesn't bring joy.
I have gotten rid of mediums and larges because I never liked how I looked in adult six small clothing and up. I was always children's sized, gained a bunch of weight (And not in a good way), then gained more weight. I know for a fact that nothing above a size small brings me joy except for 2 items worn as a set which I want to try on again and will likely give away within a year from now.
The only adult clothes above an adult small I am keeping besides maybe the 2 named items are 1 shirt which is otherwise the same as 1 I have for regular wear qand can be used for crafting matching items; and I have video game swag I imagined being given away at a need event I used to attend that the host used to give away things from a friend who used to hoard as prizes, or I can sell them now that some of this stuff is limited videogame stuff you can only get if you attended a certain convention, and that's been separate this whole time.
I gained a ton of weight and lost a ton of muscle simultaneously during the pandemic which sucked. Was eating really shittily, and am finally eating 3x a day from a meal provider and I calculate about 2 lbs of weight loss per month between my work commute and work assuming my body gets used to the eating every day and makes that my baseline. Unfortunately it could take me 4 to 16 lbs to go down to my prepandemic dimensions, and I have bin of clothes I can add to mg every day wardrobe and more clothes I can try on.
All in all, I have 6 bins of clothes. 1 is work clothes, 1 is half crafting and half winter clothes I am waiting until October to give away to unhoused people (This city is sweep heavy, so it is better to hold onto the clothes and give them out when it is needed.). I regret not going through go my clothes for like months after putting stuff back in storage because I could have given the winter clothes out. Someone who does food distribution has to see people shivering with blue lips. The current season clothes I am ready to give away fit in a damaged backpack which is OK for someone to use in their tent to keep things together or separated afrer a rain, just not aesthetically pleasing. The every day clothes I have right now fit in 1 bin.
1 bin is regular casual clothes I can wear. Another is winteseasonal. 1 is adult venue suitable, and another is in a similar vein. We're at 2% positivity right now which is almost 100k total cases in my city since the only data being provided right now is the test positivity rate in the hospitals. I am waiting for the test positivity rate to go below 0.1% which is 100 cases per 100k.
Going through my stuff today, I see summer and fall stuff I am currently ready to give away, however I am waiting for the season to approach so I am giving things away when people actually want/are looking for those items. For example, I have several pool floats and I have 1 July themed 1. I don't get to swim, I don't like being around top less men cis or not, and I'm probably never going to get to go to a pool party. I have 1 pool float I am probably going to hold onto, and 2 which still hurt because I am a fighting fetishist and they make for blow up weapons.
I looked through my craft supllies and brought out a bunch of stuff I thought I would never use because I recently found myself making a bunch of pet toys put of supplies left over from last holiday season. There are alot of unhoused people with baby animals right now, and pet toys are something people can use but cannot budget for if they are poor, so I am making suff and then giving them away. And I am glad to say that I won't be hoarding ribbon and faux suede indefinitely, that much of it is actually going to get used.
Over the next year, I will probably start using up my beads in different crafts and I have a couple of specific projects coming up.
Bad news, I still have 2 full bins worth of papers I need to digitize. I am trying to NOT bother with the ex anymore because I just can't, and I have a giant box of papers in his place from when I made a huge effort to downsize my storage unit. Maybe this weekend, but I don't want to see his face or hear from him.
The good thing about spending time at his place was it allowed me to wear things I would wear for him but wouldn't wear at mine, and it allowed me to get rid of a bunch of things I would have otherwise kept holding onto. It took wearing those items regularly to realize I didn't like them after all. And one item I didn't like wound up fitting me better over time and matches something as did keep, but I might still get rid of it in a year. I would have liked to bring more items over, but I am finding I would much rather stay at my place now that I have an ESA and the food situation has gotten better (I am in an interim housing program which is supposed to provide 3 meals a day and accommodate my dietary restrictions. They switched food providers and now I am generally able to get 3 meals a day, but there is still no laundry services on site which is an issue. Once I go down in size to prepandemic clothes, I'll have more shirts, pants, and under clothes I can wear, but I would rather get down to the lower end of my prepandemic employed weight as those pants are not as comfortable until they're in the oversized due to sensory issues.
Good news, I went through my electronics box and I found a bunch of stuff which is his. Bad news, I still have project items for him to fix along with holiday lights which went out. Good news is he might teach me how to fix the holiday lights. Bad news, he's a dick about working on electronics and had been promising me since 2015 to work on electronics together only to never actually show me anything and get angry.
Oh, and I still have my sentimental iPad which he broke. He promised me he would replace the screen. Also, a laptop screen. I might be picking up work this year which will allow me to purchase replacement screens and get him to fix it as I seem to keep breaking my devices further when I try to fix them myself. I have a phone which is simpler to fix and breaks alot. It's enough for me to know how to fix that, I guess. Even if I tried to do the iPad and laptop repairs myself, the good thing about not being complete 0 contact right now, is I don't have to spend hundreds on repair plus parts if I fuck up.
There was more, but that's about it. My holiday stuff year round is 2 bins worth of stuff and I only have 1 designated bin. ☹️ Did I say I really like Halloween? So, I guess I have to wait for this holiday season to do what I can while also holding back on supplies. I might be ready to give away my felt Halloween bags, and I am ready to give away a bunch of smaller fall items I didn't think I could let go of last year, but I am waiting for Fall when people actually want that stuff. I'm sad thst St. Patrick's Day passed and I had a whole bunch of supplies I wanted to use but didn't because my stuff was somewhere in storage. Same with Easter stuff. Now everything is consolidated.
Also, I found a pickle plush I have been stuck with because the ex bought it for me almost a decade ago and was a huge dick. My main memory from that night was us sitting in some carnival ride feeling like crap because he was belittling me and I was wondering to myself what the point of being there was while he treated me like shit. I could wash it and give it away, or I can wash it and give it to him because he loves food themed stuff. And he can be simultaneously sentimental and cruel when it comes to objects. I don't want to see the pickle at his place, and I don't want to think about him holding onto it in some weird way for years, but I don't want to look at it, and he has a ton of food themed stuffed animals. Idk. But Mr. Pickle has to go.

I think this is a very important topic that needs discussion. If an adult child has not actively gone to their parent and asked them to look for marriage proposals and their parents start sending marriage proposals it is abuse and betrayal of trust.
Ideal scenario what should happen:
Before creating bio-data and sending it to their social circles, parents should take children in confidence. Parents should openly communicate with their children about what kind of responsibilities and challenges marriage entails and what would be the expectations of the other party. Then let their child decide if he or she wants to proceed. If he or she is not enthusiastic, they should be left alone (irrespective of their age). Let the children come to parents when and if they are ready and say look for a proposal for me. They should not be shamed if they want to go for love marriage.
What actually happens:
Parents decide their offspring is old enough now it is time to raise the family social status. This happens because of social pressure and partly because they have never thought about it deeply enough as they themselves were blindly following customs and did arranged marriage. Instead they decide you are old 8enough these are some good proposals chose one of them: almost like you are picking up your next vacation destination. Adult children are often unaware of what responsibilities and challenges marriage entails and they say yes to proposals because they don't know any better. Often they have been conditioned and shamed not to go for love marriage. Parents are not acting in the best interest of their child but trying to fulfil a social obligation and do their civic duty.
I often wonder how many Indians are actually happy in their marriage and didn't marry due to social pressure. They are often leading someone else's life. If someone is not happy in their marriage very often because parents tried to pressure and rush the marriage process. I think if there was no social pressure no of marriages would drop rapidly as it has been in the developed countries. What I am trying to say is arranged marriage the way it is conducted is a bad idea and people should think for themselves. For example, donot ask a barber if you need a haircut, donot listen to your parents when they say it is time to get married.

I have a ps4, currently. I am wanting to upgrade really soon, especially because of the new college football game coming out soon. I am wanting an xbox for something different since I have owned ps1 through ps4. I love the xbox controller as well. I can only afford to upgrade to either a ps5 or an xbox but not both. I am dying to try gamepass as well.
I was thinking of getting the X since it has a disc drive and I can use it to play DVDs and get cheap physical games , but physical games will probably be phased out very soon so I don't know if having a disc drive to play games is needed. I'm torn

This past year has been a crazy ride, and I need somewhere to let it out.
On this day last year, I(27M) received a FaceTime call from my parents. They're based in Asia while my brother (25M) and I work / go to school in the US - so we have a set time for weekly catchups over the phone. But this time it was weird that they didn't just call. It was the first time in years since they video call me.
Mom(55F) and dad(57M) showed up on my phone screen, but mom didn't have any hair. They told me that she had been diagnosed with late stage cervical cancer a few weeks back and that she had immediately started chemo. My parents got their annual checkup just a few months back, but she was unlucky. The cancer had developed quickly in an area hard to detect, so it was found at a late stage. But fortunately she was receiving the best treatment available, and her company was helping our family with medical expenses. I cried after hanging up. I never thought I'd have to think about my mom's mortality this early. It felt like I was caught in some nasty prank, and I didn't know what to do. At least on screen my mom seemed lively and optimistic with the situation at the time.
I quickly decided it was best I fly over to Asia and help out my parents. Luckily I had recently quit my full time job to start my own business, so I wasn't tied to a company or a geographic location. My brother was starting a program at his dream grad school later that summer, and I was happy to help him focus on it. Instead he would immediately head to my parent's and stay with them until I wrapped up my life in the US and moved over. I had my last hoorah with my friends, gave away my furniture, and packed up my suitcase. I had been living with my girlfriend at the time, and carving myself out of the apartment was more painful than I ever expected. Saying goodbye sucked, especially when I didn't know when I was coming back.
Fast forward a few weeks, I moved into my parent's house. The next few months would be a blur of numerous trips to the hospital, a life in a different country. We were getting into the groove of things, and chemo actually started chipping away at my mom's tumor. But spending large chunks of each week at the hospital, working on my business at night(my work requires me to match US time zones), and having no social life in the country started taking toll on me. I barely knew anyone in the city and I'd have days and weeks not physically speaking at all. My mental and physical health deteriorated, and eventually after much thought I decided to break up with my girlfriend of four years. I just didn't think I was being a good partner with all that was happening in my life, and I had no clue when all this would end - especially given the time difference and distance. It was rough ending things with the most serious girlfriend I ever had, but I had to focus on my family and she understood.
I soon realized that my mom's cancer wasn't the only thing I had to face. I had to figure out my complicated relationship with my dad. I wouldn't call him a bad guy. He has good intentions but he's a troubled man haunted by his job and childhood tragedies(death of siblings, relationship with family, his parents stopping him from pursuing his dreams, etc) Since I was young he struggled with communicating his thoughts / emotions and abusing alcohol. He was never really present in my upbringing, as he sunk away to his room after work to watch TV without helping around the house much. Yes there were moments where he drove us to school a few weeks and took us fishing a couple times, but those gestures faded away by the time my brother and I were 10. When drunk, he broke things around the house regularly, and at his worst he physically assaulted me when I was a teenager. We never really had a legitimate conversation since (he never really talked unless he was drunk), and my mom acted as a sort of a shield / translator between us throughout the years. But he did work and provide for the family for decades, and I should not forget that. Now that I'm older I do see why he was so upset and aggressive back then. I'm finding myself slowly forgiving him over the years. But it also can't be an excuse for what he did and I still find myself deeply affected by his actions.
My dad's aloofness continued into December 2023. In some ways it felt like he was denying to accept the gravity of the situation. He continued drinking heavily and depending on my ill mom for housework / meals. I was upset because it seemed like my mom was still carrying most of the burden even with cancer and he was doing the bare minimum to help our family. I was tired and depressed. I uprooted my whole life, and for months I haven't been able to make much progress in my personal, professional, and social lives. But he wasn't contributing much for our family. I guess he thought improvements in my mom's health would continue and she'd recover soon.
Around new year, chemo stopped making progress, and my mom's condition began worsening week by week. Some of her organs started having issues, bringing debilitating pain. The doctors tried different treatments, radiotherapy, etc, but the situation kept on heading south. Her stays at the hospital grew longer, and she started cry more often. At times her pain would be so terrible that she'd scream into my arms saying that she doesn't want to continue living anymore. Every day I can still hear her cries and it's messing with me. I hate losing someone strong / kind like her inch by inch. After seeing my mom's state worsen, my dad started turning around and investing more time / attention to our family. He cut down most of his drinking and began spending most of his free time with her. I think he finally started realizing that he could actually lose his wife. I do appreciate him stepping up, and he and I started cooperating on nursing mom and getting through house chores. Sometimes I feel guilty for this, but I'm still having difficulty trusting him 100% given all we've been through. It's still tough to spend 1:1 time with him.
Fast forward to now, the situation hasn't improved much and my mom hasn't been home in months. Even phone calls and texts are difficult for her now. The doctors are planning on trying one more treatment, but if it doesn't work we'll likely have to begin preparing for the worst. I saw on reddit that old photos help cancer patients a lot, so I went through our family album to show digital copies to my mom. I can't remember the last time I cried that much. Thankfully, my brother is now in town on vacation for the next few weeks, and he's been very helpful. We're grateful that he had a successful first year at grad school, and him returning has been a breath of fresh air for our family. Seeing my brother has been helping my mom a lot as well. I'm sure my brother is feeling his own shock and guilt with all that's happening to our family. I hope he's able to find strength within himself.
But I need to face the fact that my mom started taking morphine and that the doctors began discussing hospice. My parents and I took the past few weeks to organize my mom's finances, taxes, and legal work. It's still surreal that I had to go through my mom's stuff. She has been strong / stoic throughout this whole process, but I can't imagine what pain / thoughts she's dealing with when my dad or I'm not around. I can't imagine what it's like to even begin thinking about the end. A miracle could happen, but nothing is guaranteed. All I can do is just take each day as it is and keep moving forward.
I took a pause on work in the last few months to focus on helping my family and recovering my health. I'm slowly but surely spending up my savings though, and I feel like I'm being left behind professionally and socially. I'm finding myself depressed not being able to make progress with my life and career. I have no friends and I can't remember the last time I took a legitimate break. I can't help but wonder how my business will work out, whether I can become social again, and what my future will look like. But it's been so difficult to plan anything because any day / week my mom's situation can shift drastically. And at times I feel guilty thinking about myself when my mom is suffering this much. I'm trying really hard to keep a routine with exercise and work so I can keep myself healthy to continue helping my parents. It's been a challenging fight to keep all these things balanced.
But I also can't deny that I've seen a lot of beauty in life as well in the past year. So many friends and family helped us out, and I sat down with my mom with deep conversations on life. I've also changed / grew tremendously, and my perspective on life / death matured a lot. I learned the importance of mental / physical health. This dark period in my life also could be the beginning of a relationship with my dad. I don't do social media but so many friends remembered our family and reached out proactively. Thank you everyone. All of the other problems I had in life seem so small / solvable now, after all I've gone through. Imagine how easy those obstacles will feel once all this is over!
I have no idea how all of this will resolve, but I just hope my mom doesn't go through much pain. Sometimes I just want to drop everything and give up but I want to help my mom as much as I can until the end. She always tried her best to give my brother and me the best possible life. A few weeks ago, she told me that she has no regrets because she gave us all her love over the past 20 to 30 years, a feat that other moms might take 50 to 60 years to accomplish. She really did her best and she was the greatest mom I could ever have.
I'm curious what kind of person I'll become after the dust settles. Daydreaming about what's to come after these tough times keep me going. The rest of the year probably won't be pretty though, especially if my mom's health worsens. In whatever way this situation resolves towards, I won't disappoint her. I hope I can stay strong throughout and I'll keep giving life my best.
And I hope this past year does stay the toughest year of my life lol