Apple TV+ is one of the strangest streamers out there, with almost no licensed TV or film content and a small number of originals. That makes the best movies on Apple TV+ easy to find. There simply aren’t that many! Apple is clearly taking a “quality over quantity” approach, with its money spread across genres and targeted at making its subscribers (many roped in with a deal that came with one of the company’s tech products) treat it like a real contender. It also helps that it’s only $4.99 a month, or free for a year if you’ve just purchased a new (and eligible) device.
With films from up-and-comers like Minhal Baig, arthouse favorites like Sofia Coppola and Werner Herzog, some A-list music docs, one of the best animated movies of the 2020s and Martin Scorsese’s latest, Apple TV+ is actually making the case that it belongs in the conversation alongside the more established services. As long as it keeps adding good movies to its roster, that is. It recently snagged a few critical darlings like Killers of the Flower Moon and Wolfwalkers.

10. The Pigeon Tunnel

For a documentary about one of the most celebrated writers of spy fiction, The Pigeon Tunnel can seem—at first glance—deceptively placid. Clocking in at just over 90 minutes, the film features an extended conversation between David Cornwell, AKA John le Carre, and Oscar-winning docmaker Errol Morris. It’s just that. Two people talking, with Morris off-screen, their parrying question-and-answers broken up with archival images and re-enactments of Cornwell’s past, as well as snippets from the classic movies or TV adaptations based on his spy universe: The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and A Perfect Spy.

9. Hala

Writedirector Minhal Baig’s Hala is an intimate coming-of-age drama held up by its personal writerly touches and a star-making turn from Geraldine Viswanathan as the title character. Hala’s struggling with the same kinds of things we normally see high school characters struggle with: What to do after graduation, how to manage a relationship with her parents that’s not quite adult and not quite childish, and (of course) boys. Viswanathan’s understated quiet and the warmth in which the situations are shot (almost always centered on her face)—be they at a family dinner or a walk in a Chicago park or a reading of a high school English assignment—make the dramatic ricochet of Hala’s minor rebellion rattle us all the harder.

8. Boys State

The tendency to read too much into Boys State as a representative of American politics—contemporary, functional, broken and otherwise—doesn’t quite line up with the event itself, in which every year the American Legion sponsors a sort of mock government sleepaway camp in Texas for high school boys (girls get a similar program of their own), where attendees join parties, run for office, craft platforms, run campaigns, hold debates, then ultimately exercise their right to vote.

7. On the Rocks

Sofia Coppola’s new movie On the Rocks starts out as a story of possessive fatherhood, with Felix (Bill Murray) narrating to his teenage daughter, Laura: “And remember, don’t give your heart to any boys. You are mine until you get married. Then you’re still mine.” The girl laughs off the declaration as a jape, which turns out to be a catastrophic tactical mistake. In her womanhood, Laura (Rashida Jones), does indeed get married to a man, Dean (Marlon Wayans), and they have two beautiful daughters of their own, eldest Maya (Liyanna Muscat) and youngest Theo (Alexandra Mary Reimer).

6. Bruce Springsteen’s Letter to You

The black-and-white behind-the-scenes documentary accompaniment to Bruce Springsteen’s album of the same name, Bruce Springsteen’s Letter to You is a beautiful and companionable tour through the music and its making from an American master. Director Thom Zimny buys into the album’s concept, which focuses on just how long Springsteen’s been at this thing. Poignant juxtaposition with archival footage and pictures emphasizes just how long the E Streeters have been at this—and reminds us of who and what was lost along the way.
Also Read: The Last Duel

5. Fireball: Visitors from Darker Worlds

Werner Herzog will show you multiple clips from Mimi Leader’s Deep Impact for no other reason than because he likes them, he finds them well-done and evocative—he says as much in that even-keeled, oddly accented voice over—then soon after chastise “film school doctrine” when complimenting a field video shot by a South Korean meteor specialist in Antarctica. Like Nomad: In the Footsteps of Bruce Chatwin, his documentary from earlier in the year, Fireball (co-directed with Clive Oppenheimer, with whom he made 2016’s Into the Inferno) is less about what it’s about (meteorites, shooting stars, cosmic debris—and the people who love them) than it is about Werner Herzog’s life, which is his filmography, which is a heavily manipulated search for ultimate truth.

4. CODA

Sometimes a movie so successfully plunges you into its world that it completely engulfs you in a lived-in experience. From the gorgeous, scenic opening moments of CODA, you can almost smell the Atlantic salt air and pungent scent of the daily catch. The movie transports you to Gloucester, Massachusetts and lovingly drops you into the life of one family. Seventeen-year-old Ruby Rossi (Emilia Jones) is what the title of the movie refers to—a child of deaf adults.

3. A Charlie Brown Christmas

We could get into plenty of arguments over which Charlie Brown animated special is best, but A Charlie Brown Christmas is my favorite pull of the bunch. Charlie Brown’s confrontation with the Christmas season’s commercialism (back in 1965 no less) and a sad little fir tree make this a cartoon classic, as the ultimate funny-pages shlimazel suffers endless social indignities (no Christmas cards) and the holiday blues.

2. Wolfwalkers

Wolfwalkers is filmmaker and animator Tomm Moore’s latest project out of Cartoon Saloon, the animation studio he co-founded in 1999 with Paul Young, and the capper to his loosely bound Irish folklore trilogy (begun with 2009’s The Secret of Kells and continued with 2014’s Song of the Sea). At first blush, the film appears burdened with too much in mind—chiefly thoughts on everything from English colonialism to earnest portraiture of Irish myths, the keystones of Moore’s storytelling for the last decade.

1. Killers of the Flower Moon

Martin Scorsese has made a career telling stories that tackle issues of justice, retribution and betrayal. From his overt and poetic crime films, through to his dark comedies, religious parables and character pieces, he has long been drawn to stories where the ambiguities of life collide with the complexities of survival, and where day-to-day choices result in consequences sometimes obvious, and sometimes far more subtle and insidious.

Below you'll find information and links to help advocate for Reproductive Freedoms and Abortion care in Canada and emerging policy issues with the Reddit platform. This is a recurring post and will be periodically updated as needed. Feel free to post additional information and discussions in the comments.
Advocating for Abortion Care in Canada:

• There is a serious lack of Abortion Care options in Canada, particularly in the rural areas, and for those living on reserves, they have almost no access to Abortion care. People may have to travel more than 100km and across provincial lines to access abortion. Some have to travel by plane from their rural community to one with an abortion clinic or hospital. This puts an unfair financial and logistical burden on those that need to access abortion care. Provincial Health Insurance Plans do not cover travel costs related to receiving medical care.
• Because many provinces have few facilities that provide Abortion care, this places an unreasonable load on the clinics that do exist, forcing clients to look elsewhere for facilities with capacity to help them. In Alberta, there is one clinic for every 209,077 people who can become pregnant (number of assigned-at-birth females between the ages of 15-29). PEI, the Northwest Territories and the Yukon Territory each only have 1 Abortion care provider. Nunavut only has 2 abortion providers, and of those, only one offers medical abortion covered by the provincial health insurance plan. In fact, 9 (out of a total of 13) Canadian provinces and territories have five or fewer facililities offering abortion care in their entire province. And 10 Canadian provinces and territories have one or fewer (0) rural facililities offering abortion care.
• Some provinces, have more restrictive guidelines regarding abortion, limiting access to abortion care to those with a gestational period of less than 12 weeks (meaning, 12 weeks since the first day of your last period, not 12 weeks since you discovered you were pregnant or when you had sex). Many people who menstruate have irregular periods. Some people might only menstruate every 2 or 3 months, and might only discover that they are pregnant near the gestation limit of 12 weeks.
• Insurance coverage also limits access to abortions. Some provinces, like Nunavut, do not offer coverage for medical abortions unless they are prescribed and performed in a hospital. And being a rural province, there also happens to be only 1 hospital in Nunavut - Qikiqtani General Hospital in Iqualuit. New Brunswick will only cover abortion services in a hospital setting, which means that abortion medical care provided in clinics are not covered by their Provincial Health Insurance Plan.
• Sexual and reproductive health services are among the services that physicians, pharmacists and nurse practitioners are most frequently unwilling to provide on moral or religious grounds. People who have been harassed and/or attacked while visiting an Abortion clinic may experience stigma and/or discrimination from their peers, especially in smaller, rural communities where everyone knows one another. People refused care by health care professionals because of personal beliefs may experience stigma and/or discrimination, forcing them to travel outside of their community to receive the care they need. This can all be particularly daunting for young people or those with limited resources.
• Everyone in Canada is supposed to have equal rights to access health care, regardless of race, age, class, immigration status, gender expression, sexuality and ability. Nevertheless, anyone's right to seek abortion care can be be impacted by discrimination and bigotry, both systemic and as a result of individual prejudice on the part of service providers. Racism, xenophobia, classism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, and ageism in Canada are all direct and intersecting barriers to accessing abortion. It is much more difficult for a person who doesn\u2019t speak English to access abortion services, despite the presence of a translator. Transpeople also experience discrimination at higher rates in reproductive health care settings. Providers may also lack the knowledge or training to provide trans-affirming abortion care and abortion services are typically housed within *women\u2019s* health care departments.
• Further compounding the issue of inequitable abortion access are unregulated crisis pregnancy centres (CPCs), which are anti-choice pregnancy centres that advertise in hospitals, doctor's offices, churches, schools and community centre. They deceive people coming to them for options and advice by giving misinformation about abortion or by insisting on options that may delay or interfere with the clients ability to access the care they need. CPCs far outnumber abortion care providers in Canada. In Ontario alone, there are 77 active CPCs but only 38 abortion care providers. Overall, in Canada, there are 165 known CPCs compared to 147 abortion care providers (as of August 2022).

Reference: Policy Options, via the Institute for Research on Public Policy and Action Canada for Sexual Health & Rights
What can you do to improve access to abortion care in Canada?

1. Listen, research and learn. This is always the first step to understand any problem.
2. Send a letter to your MP and MPP. Tell them that access to abortion care is important and how difficult it can be to access it in your province. Urge them to prevent anti-choice groups and CPCs from receiving charitable status, and to revoke the charitable status from CPCs that already have it. Encourage them to include reasonable reimbursement for travel costs related to receiving medical care when it is not available in your community. And push them to pass Safe Access Zone Legislation to protect patients, practitioners and their staff from anti-choice harassment and intimidation.
3. Give a donation to a pro-choice charitable organization of your choice. Remember, if you give a total of $201 CDN or more to Canadian charitable organizations, you'll get a credit of 29% of your total annual donations on your income taxes (for those that file Canadian Income Taxes, only).
4. Sign up for the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada Newsletter. https://www.arcc-cdac.ca/
5. Participate in local marches and rallys in support of access to abortion care.
6. Spread the Word. Tell your friends and family. Encourage them to research, listen and learn. Encourage them to contact their MPP and MPs.
7. If you work in a Doctor's office or as a family physician, consider incorporating Mifegymiso into your practice to ensure patients have timely access to this essential service. If you are a Doctor, or studying to be one, consider opening an Abortion Care practice when you are licensed and qualified to do so, especially in rural areas where there are a lack of options.
8. If you work in politics, consider proposing legislation that will ensure safe access zones for abortion care providers and their clients and covering reasonable travel costs for constituents when medical care is not available in their community.
9. If you are a journalist or work in media, consider preparing pieces sharing the difficulty Canadians can have accessing medical care such as abortions.
10. If you work in the area of Not For Profit/Advocacy, consider partnering with a Pro-choice organization and helping them spread information and lobby for improving access to abortion care for Canadians.
11. If you know someone who needs abortion care, consider giving them a ride to a clinic, helping them access the advice and care they need, and provide non-judgemental support.
12. Ensure persons of First Nations, Metis and Inuit heritage know about Jordan's Principle, which ensures that First Nations children (which includes people who can become pregnant under the age of 18) can access the products, services and supports they need, when they need them. https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1568396042341/1568396159824

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Emerging Policy Issues with Reddit
On July 1, 2023, Reddit raised the price to make calls to their API from being free to a level that killed every third party app on Reddit, from Apollo to Reddit is Fun to Narwhal to BaconReader. This policy change meant that mobile users would have a lesser experience browsing Reddit, users with visual difficulties could not browse reddit as screenreaders are not compatible with the official Reddit app, and mods lost tools that they depend on to keep communities on-topic and spam-free. Many subreddits protested this change in June 2023, and the Reddit admins enforced draconian measures such as removing and replacing mods who privatized their subreddits in protest of this policy change.
On September 12, 2023, Reddit will eliminate reddit coins, including removing all accumulated coins, a perk that Reddit Premium users pay for every month. Coins are used to reward comments and posts by showing your appreciation for the effort. Some reddit coins offer the ability to use reddit without ads.
In March 2024, Reddit had an IPO (Initial Public Offering), and the founder and current CEO, as well as the COO have sold $500,000 of their shares. How does this effect you? Reddit may face pressure to increase revenues to attract investors. This could lead to more ads or new monetization features. There could also be changes to the platform to attract a wider user base, such as bans and censorship on certain topics or words and control over content to appease more conservative shareholders or users.
What can you do to protest policy changes at Reddit?

1. Listen, research and learn. Check /modcoord for updates
2. Cancel your Reddit Premium membership
3. Participate in subreddit led protests
4. Look for other forums to patronize. We have a forum on Discord called Auntie Network Canada. Message the mods here for an invite link to the Discord group.
5. Complain. Message the mods of reddit.com, who are the admins of the site: message reddit: submit a support request: comment in relevant threads on reddit. Leave a negative review on their official iOS or Android app.

I'm writing from a throwaway because this is personal. Sorry if this is under the wrong flair. I didn't know which one this belonged to.
I haven't been receiving any mail for the past few months. I received things I ordered, but I never received anything like letters. Which I figured, no news is good news.
That is, until I had a Levy taken out of my bank account for hundreds of dollars. When I called the state to ask why, they explained that they had been sending me letters and the post office kept returning it, stating this wasn't a good address for me. So they stopped and as a result, they issued a Levy and took all of my money from that account.
I've lived at my home for over a decade and didn't have this issue until recently. When I think about it, doctors were also saying they sent letters I never received. I almost lost a lawsuit because I wasn't receiving mail last year, thankfully I check my court record ever so often. And the judge after writing a letter sided with me that this company was a scammer. (One and only thing on my record.) Other household members weren't receiving mail either.
Is this something that can be rectified? Is it legal for the post office to interfere with my mail and cause me to lose hundreds of dollars?
Or is this a, “sucks to be you, what's done is done” kind of thing? The post office can't be held responsible and I can't request the state to give the money back and do a payment arrangement?

Let’s make it aware that there is a job offer scam that lies and take you to Scam Factories and you become a slave, and you may even die. Post here all cases of Disappearance of people who may be associated with this type of scam.

Know The Signs!

Have you been trafficked?

• Did you apply for the job via Social Media (e.g. Facebook, Instagram), WhatsApp, Telegram or an online platform?
• Did you have an online interview?
• Have you been promised a job with a company in Thailand?
• Were you promised a lucrative salary?
• Did you receive a letter of confirmation for your new role?
• Did you investigate the company you applied to and are they registered?
• Do you have an agent or consultant handling details for you?

How to prevent yourself or someone you know from being trafficked

• Never give anyone your passport!
• Research the company you are applying to join. For example, check their website, search for them on social media and LinkedIn, check the legal registration of the company.
• Ask for references (face to face or virtual) from current employees.
• Ensure you received an official letter of offer and check the email addresses match the companies contact information.
• Research the visa requirements for working in a foreign country.
• Notify your countries Immigration Office of your intention to travel or contact your countries Embassy once you arrive at your destination.
• If you are about to cross a river in north-west Thailand don’t, it is likely you are being trafficked into Myanmar.

Forced Scamming:

Trapped in secure compounds.

• Victims are trafficked into secure compounds within Myanmar along the Thailand-Myanmar border with no way to escape. They are watched by armed security and their movements monitored 24/7 by CCTV.

Physically tortured, Sexually Assaulted & brutalised.

• Victims are punished if they refuse to work, until they comply. They are sexually assaulted and brutalised to keep them compliant and their torture used as a warning to others. All have scars, some visible and some hidden, that they will carry with them forever.

Forced to work 20 hour days, 6-7 days a week.

• Victims are forced to work 16-20 hours per day and often 6-7 days each week. They are locked into offices with rows and rows of computers forced to participate in illegal activities, including cyber scamming.

Passports confiscated & phones strictly monitored.

• Victims have their passports confiscated usually under false pretences. All phone activity is strictly monitored with random checks are conducted daily. Victims are forced to use company phones and can only access their personal phones in their rooms.

Could this be your situation? If you or someone you know has been trapped in forced criminality, contact your nearest embassy or email the Global Alms Counter Trafficking Unit at admin@globalalms.com with the details

This is a post for awareness. Let’s help each other. Only serious comments.
Below are more links to other related posts.
https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2023/12/asia/chinese-scam-operations-american-victims-intl-hnk-dst/ (Scam Factory location: 16°38'53.0"N 98°31'15.8"E https://maps.app.goo.gl/hjxFLTUJ1SK1aLMM8?g_st=ic)
http://chinascope.org/archives/32233
https://youtu.be/m6qFCdHvYuI?si=rs2J71V1XIeFF7we
https://www.globalantiscam.org/contact
https://www.reddit.com/Thailand/s/L8OTm9Lvye
https://www.globalalms.com/protection
Fill up the form https://www.globalantiscam.org/contact

(My account created recently for privacy/scam concerns)

Believe it or not, offshore bookkeeping offers more than just a scenic backdrop. In today's global economy, businesses are setting sail towards offshore solutions for their financial needs, and the advantages are as vast as the open sea. Therefore, it is essential to know how it can help you achieve your financial goals in life.

Offshore Bookkeeping: What's the Buzz About?

Offshore bookkeeping is when you hire a team in another country to handle your financial record-keeping tasks. Some people might worry about sending financial data abroad, but the benefits often outweigh any concerns.

1. Cost Efficiency

One of the biggest perks of offshore bookkeeping is cost savings. Thus, outsourcing your bookkeeping services to countries with lower labor costs, you can significantly reduce your expenses. It’s like getting top-notch financial assistance without breaking the bank. Here are some sample scenarios:

• Labor Cost Savings. For example, a small consulting firm in Australia can save money by outsourcing bookkeeping to countries like India or the Philippines, where labor costs are lower.
• Reduced Overhead Costs. Offshore outsourcing minimises overhead costs associated with in-house staff, such as office space, equipment, and benefits.
• Access to Specialised Expertise at Lower Costs. Offshore firms provide access to specialised expertise in accounting and specific industries at a fraction of the cost of hiring locally.
• Scalability without Increasing Costs. Offshore bookkeeping allows businesses to scale services according to their needs without incurring additional costs.
• Risk Mitigation. Diversifying service providers geographically reduces the risk of disruptions due to local issues, ensuring continuity in bookkeeping operations.

2. Time Savings

Outsourcing your bookkeeping tasks frees up your time to focus on core business activities. Instead of drowning in spreadsheets and receipts, you can invest your time and energy into growing your business. Therefore, offshore bookkeeping helps you work smarter, not harder.

3. Access to Expertise

When you opt for offshore bookkeeping, you gain access to a pool of skilled professionals who specialise in handling financial matters. These experts are well-versed in the latest accounting standards and technologies, ensuring accurate and efficient bookkeeping help for your business.

4. Scalability

As your business grows, so do your bookkeeping needs. Offshore bookkeeping provides scalability that allows you to expand or scale back your services according to your requirements. Whether you need help with day-to-day transactions or year-end financial reports, offshore bookkeeping has you covered.

5. Enhanced Data Security

Concerned about data security? Offshore bookkeeping firms understand the importance of safeguarding your financial information. They implement robust security measures to protect your data from unauthorised access and cyber threats, giving you peace of mind.

6. Flexibility

Offshore bookkeeping offers flexibility in terms of service options. Whether you need full-time support or occasional assistance, you can customise your bookkeeping services to suit your business needs. It’s like having a financial team that adapts to your schedule, not the other way around.

7. Focus on Core Competencies

By outsourcing your bookkeeping tasks, you can focus on what you do best—running your business. Leave the number crunching to the experts while you concentrate on delivering value to your customers and driving growth.

Offshore Bookkeeping with Alli Accounting

Remeber, offshore bookkeeping isn’t just a trend; it’s a strategic move for businesses looking to streamline their financial operations. With cost savings, time efficiency, access to expertise, and enhanced security, offshore bookkeeping offers a plethora of benefits. So why not explore this option and give your business the bookkeeping help it deserves?
Offshore bookkeeping with Alli Accounting provides businesses with a reliable solution to manage their finances efficiently while reducing operational costs. Our team of experienced professionals ensures accurate recording of financial transactions, including accounts payable and receivable, payroll, and general ledger entries. Reach out to us to learn more!
Believe it or not, offshore bookkeeping offers more than just a scenic backdrop. In today's global economy, businesses are setting sail towards offshore solutions for their financial needs, and the advantages are as vast as the open sea. Therefore, it is essential to know how it can help you achieve your financial goals in life.

Offshore Bookkeeping: What's the Buzz About?

Offshore bookkeeping is when you hire a team in another country to handle your financial record-keeping tasks. Some people might worry about sending financial data abroad, but the benefits often outweigh any concerns.

Hi All. Just submitted my ILR app this weekend. The SET-M form has changed and I ended up making a very minor mistake on the app form due to how the form is now worded.
To be specific, the question where the mistake is was “Have You Ever Been Married Before”. I answered NO because I (the applicant) have never been married before, although my partner has. In all other applications, the form always asks, “Have Your OR Your Partner Ever Been Married Before.”
With my cover letter, I’ve also included a written and signed addendum with his previous marriage and divorce certificate (as we did with all other apps before they changed the wording of this question). We definitely haven’t lied or anything, but the wording of this question has got me all wound up.
Sorry I’m panicking — I’ve been kicked out of the UK before bc of Home Office requirements so I’m traumatized…and I’m disabled now with very poor health, so the thought of being sent back to my home country under these circumstances would be potentially life-threatening for me.
I’m freaking out that I’m going to have to pay for an entirely new ILR app…but my partner thinks he found a 0300 phone number where we can call to tell them there is a mistake on the app and we want to correct this.
All the guidance I’ve seen online says we can’t correct mistakes after the app is submitted. Is this 0300 phone number real?
Anyone have experience with this?
I’m really sorry I’m so stressed out about this and I’m sure this post is coming off as terribly worried (which I am).
What should we do? Should we just submit a new app? Ride out the current one and fight through an appeal?
Thanks in advance.

I woke up to seagulls this morning, I really like the sound of them. I mean they don’t make pretty sounds, nor is it relaxing, but it feels like a comforting noise I guess? I think because I like being by the sea. I’m not sure. It was nice though. I love living by the sea, like I hear ship horns and seagulls and all of that. It makes me forever paranoid of tsunamis though. I think I’d like to live in a little seaside town with my honey, but I also don’t because then I couldn’t have the garden of my dreams nor would I have the countryside lifestyle I want. I don’t really know what I want. I don’t think I have enough money to be all that picky anyway.
I kind of woke up with that pit in my stomach feeling today. I don’t like how our calls were last night, either one of them. The first I felt like he didn’t want to talk to me and the second it was me being like that to him. I didn’t mean to make it come across that way, but I think he just caught me out when I was mid-deep sleep? I couldn’t wake up or focus and idk. Normally I’m fine to wake up though? And I love his night time calls, to know he’s thinking about me makes me feel so warm inside. It feels weird to think I ever cross his mind when we aren’t in an active conversation, I guess that comes back to the self esteem thing and feeling unworthy of being a thought in his mind, not feeling important enough, or something. But in that second call, I guess I didn’t like that he got me off the phone earlier because he was so sleepy, but then it turned out he was still up and about two hours later? It made me feel like he lied about being tired to get rid of me. I don’t think that was the case, but it’s how it made me feel in the moment. Anyway I woke up feeling uneasy, I felt okay but a little uneasy so I made sure to apologise. I think as well because I fell asleep feeling a little uneasy, it felt like he rushed me off the phone or like I was boring him to death or something. But it made me think about how it’s only 9pm where he is, and that he could quite easily have someone come over around that time. I don’t believe he would do that, but it scares me all the same. The way in which he could crush me into nothing is a little frightening sometimes, it really feels like I’ve just laid out my sad little heart out there for him to stomp all over if he so wishes to do so. I know if he did end things I would be okay, I think, but I can’t say I don’t worry about how it would affect my mental health and “recovery” - how far would it set me back? But also that’s not on him at all, and I’m never ever going to imply as such to him. He ought to make decisions based on what he wants and is best for him. Anyway it’s fine and we talked this morning and nothing has changed for him either, we both still want each other and this so it doesn’t even matter. I still feel bad about how I made him feel. I’m really glad, even though I made him feel bad which I wish I hadn’t, but sometimes it really helps to have him say he still wants this. I know his actions speak louder than words, but sometimes I need the words too. And so him saying “I’m still the same” was really reassuring and made me feel so lovey.
I’ve made a hair appointment, for end of June. I kind of wanted it early June as my hair is annoying the f out of me now, but her first available slot is end of June sooo I guess it still works out well. It gives me five weeks to continue growing out my layers so that we can start afresh. I’m going to get my face framies cut shorter this time as they grow out so quickly. I think otherwise I’ll get very subtle layering, enough to add some movement and help it air dry nicely, but I want the ends as thick as possible too. I’ll get a general root touch up to darken them up a little, and then a tonegloss for the lengths to cool down the warmth a little and darken it up ever so slightly. And then I’ve booked in for a full on olaplex treatment, so that will be nice. I am all about my hair health this year. I always have been but now even more so.
It’s so autumnal today. I really want to watch my favourite cosy romcoms, their autumn scenes are always my most absolute favourite. And winter I suppose. Basically Meg Ryan in autumn is my favourite thing and comforts me to no end.
I think I assume that if I know something then everyone else must know it too, so when they don’t I find it baffling that they don’t know. I guess because I consider myself thicker than a brick and everyone else smarter than I am, so I’d say in the team quiz no one knows the answer I start thinking how do you not know this, but that’s unfair of me and I’m making an assumption based on my low self esteem. But also I am as dumb as a rock so I mean there’s low self esteem and then there’s self awareness. But I just assume that if I know something, then it therefore must be as widely known as 2+2=4.
I’m wearing my Mon Guerlain perfume today, I quite like it, I guess I liked it a fair but considering I seem to have both a bottle of the edp and edt? I think this was during lockdown. Anyway I never wear it but I am today as it’s quite a warm scent, it’s like a warm vanilla but with a touch of lavender? Barely any lavender though, just a teeny tiny little bit. I just googled and that’s exactly what it is so yay me! Except it’s blatantly obvious so perhaps I’ll calm down on the self celebrations. Anyway it’s not one I’d replace but I do like it I suppose. It feels a little mature, not in an older woman way but in a mid-40s way. I read a comment and it said that it gives wife-and-adoring-mother with a wealthy husband, who’s just kissed her children goodnight before sweeping off in her furs to dinner and the opera. It’s classy and elegant, but with something warm and motherly to it and I get that too. Like the mama in Peter Pan! Anyway I’m a little ways off that stage of my life. But it’s a nice wfh scent I suppose. Most of my perfumes are just wfh/chill at home ones now. I wear perfume everyday, I’d say that’s silly but a) Andy tends to too and anything he does that I do makes me feel more assured it’s okay, b) I have a lottttt to get through and c) even if I didn’t have a lottttt to get through I still would because I just like to feel pretty. I may be as ugly as a troll but I will still be presentable enough. Not nicely, but perfume, groomed brows, glowy skin/skincare, my cutie lil diamond studs, brushed hair etc. Except I like a lived in look, I don’t like to look super prim and proper I prefer more bedheady hair and to look like I don’t care an awful lot, but in a nonchalant Kate Moss way not a get wrecked Adam Sandler way. Except I think Adam Sandler is the better of the two - I read he still has a regular-ish house? Then again it was the internet and I’m as gullible as… idk something gullible. That’s what I adore about Andy, he will do his own research and not believe anything outright, he’ll question it and all of that. Whereas I can just be like woowwwww crazy and then move on. There are many ways I’d like to be more like him, I don’t want to be like him but I just want to be better and he’s better so idk. He seems a little paranoid I’ll be like his ex who basically tried to become the tweedle dum to his tweedle dee, but I mean that’s never going to happen? I like to try things he likes, for example snacks and drinks and things. And if he says he enjoys using something and recommends it, ie his mouse, then I take his recommendations seriously. But I’m never going to dress or act like him, I mean I adore him but I don’t want to be a man…? I like being girly and different from him! But I just mean I like how he approaches things, I like how he handles disagreements or thinks about new information - they’re things I want to kind of learn from him. Not in a way where I’d ask because that makes it weirder. Idk. This whole thing is weird. I just admire him. Now I sound like some kinda single white female… which I am… oh god.
Todays been fine overall. I did something new workwise, getting into LOEs for H&S speeding stuff, I had a call with a manager about one of his direct reports this morning and he was like I mean is it that bad and I had to tell a 40 something grown man that it is indeed bad to speed 28km over the speed limit. For any reason. And in a branded vehicle at that. Anyway so then I had to do the letter which was fine but it’s such a confusing template so I suggested some alterations to the Head of and she said they were excellent and she would change the template letter to include my suggestions, so that made me feel good. I enjoy that part of my work, I think I like processes and policies and all of that stuff. Idk why someone with social anxiety thought it would be smart to get into PEOPLE advisory. But like I said, as thick as a brick.
I had such a fun chat with him this evening, he makes me all giggly and silly and I hate myself for saying that. The word giggle is so bleh. I mean it’s a cute word but it feels wrong to say for whatever reason. It’s like when people say “hehe” in texts or whatever, it makes me feel gross even though I don’t even mind it. I think in the right context from the right person it’s fine, but I’ve never experienced that so idk. Now I’m thinking of… something. Something we watched. And the subtitles had it as “heh heh” and I’m thinking sopranos. Anyway newsflash to no one: I love him a hellllllll of a lot.
I wish I didn’t have to go to the office tomorrow. It’s so annoying. I know it’s good for me and also my manager has outright asked me to, so I kind of have to regardless, but also I’ll just focus on the fact it’s good for me to be properly out of the house and stuff. And it has perks I guess, I can have sushi for lunch, peruse the bookshop nearby and I also don’t snack when I’m at the office, I take nuts with me but I don’t eat them because I get all anxy about if people can hear me chewing or if they think I’m some kind of insatiable ogre who can’t wait til lunch or dinner. But so I just have a few bits of sushi for lunch. Although I really want to try this Vietnamese place, they have a salad that looks so bloody good, but I’ve never been and it looks like the kind you line up for like subway and that sends a barrage of anxiety through me so maybe sometime in the future. But I also tend to get more done and idk. It’s good for me. I’ll just keep telling myself that while I hate life two days a week for the foreseeable. It’s not even that bad, it is bad anxiety wise - like yesterday I didn’t go to the bathroom for over an hour from when I needed to pee because of my anxiety, I also didn’t fill up my drink bottle or get another coffee at all for the whole day. So my anxiety is bad, but maybe over time it’ll get better, I’m sure it will, I just have to suck it up in the interim.
I think I’ll stop now because I have 10 mins exactly til 8 and I need to get entirely ready for bed and post this. I needed to blowdry my hair but I spent too long in the shower and now I don’t have time so oh well. Tbh I look like utter shite anyway lately so what’s a bad hair day to go with it? I’ll just put it up. I feel disgustingly ugly lately, I always do but especially lately. Okay now I have 8 minutes night night

Hello! How to obtain a certificate of account closure? You closed my account. I need a certificate of account closure letter. The tax officer is asked. I need my account number removed. Please send me

Link to Part 1!
Hello! I am back with an update for my fellow Aussies on my experience with Astrohuas as an Australian. My Freewrite Smart Typewrite Gen 3 Ink Edition arrived today, Tuesday 21st of May. It has been quite the saga, one that makes me all the more determined to share my experience on this sub.
The last time I left you, my Ink was winging it's way from the offices of shipping forwarder service US to Oz in Oregon to me in Australia courtesy of FedEx International Priority. Some time on Friday, I got what appeared to be a phishing scam text. The text was supposedly from 'FedEx-Exp' and contained my full name, FedEx delivery/order number, a link to a payment service called BPoint and two customer service phone numbers for FedEx. What was this payment link for, you may ask? It was my customs duties and taxes bill, for roughly $247 AUD. I clicked through the link, despite my initial reservations. But the field that contained my name was my first name only, and it was half in caps and half in lower case. Too uneasy to continue, I closed down the web page and deleted the text, sure that it was some sort of particularly sophisticated scam. On Sunday, I received a random called from a landline in Victoria. As I do not know the number (and get more scam calls and texts than I care to discuss) I let the call go.
To my surprise, they left a voicemail. It was a very soft (almost inaudible) female voice once again giving my FedEx order number, the exact contents of my order and the same amount owing for customs duties and taxes. I use Google to track down FedEx's customer support line in Australia (it's 13 26 10 BTW), but of course it's a Sunday and nobody is there to answer my call. I resolve to call FedEx myself after work on Monday.
Thankfully, US to Oz came to the rescue once more. In the early hours of Monday morning, I get an email from Justin at US to Oz, telling me he needs a confirmed phone number for me as Australian customs are trying to get a hold of me. He informed me that we had just a few days to resolve the duties & taxes issue before the charming (not) Australian Border Force/Customs charged him as the sender the full shipping fee for returning my order to the US if the fees and duties were not paid. I promptly confirmed my phone number and emailed Justin a screenshot of the second 'payment' text I had received on Sunday, and he confirmed it was legitimate and not a scam. I paid via credit card through the secure portal/web page in the text and emailed Justin to confirm that I had paid. It is worth noting that duties and taxes are calculated including the cost of shipping, not just the value of the items in the order. The rest of the process was fairly easy, but as I only paid my duties in the early hours of Monday morning my shipment was delayed by a day, finally arriving today on Tuesday afternoon.
Only one question remains -
What the ACTUAL FUCK FedEx? My tracking emails from FedEx contained no reference to or mention of the customs duties & taxes payment process. It looked so much like a scam I almost lost my order altogether. I knew I would have to pay them, but the scam-adjacent texts and anonymous voicemails from someone who is barely audible and does not even identify where the call is coming from (yes, really) is absolutely ridiculous.
Anyway - moving on. I had already ordered a set of 90's themed keycaps and a portable lap desk thingy for my Ink, which arrived ahead of the device itself. My first order of business was connecting the Ink to wifi, which was very easy after the Ink booted up for the first time. Setting up Postbox was easy enough (done from the device rather than online) and getting it to sync to my Google Drive was super easy. I did a test document, tested the shredding function from Postbox and all was working seamlessly. I then set about installing two firmware updates and one software update (easily done if you consult the start up manual). The firmware updates you can control from the device, but the software updates seem more random. I then set about changing the lettered keys in the centre of the keyboard for the 90's themed keycaps I purchased - this was done pretty easily with the puller included with keycap kit. I may restore the original black keycaps if I get to the point where I am confidently touch typing on the new keyboard, otherwise they are definitely hard to see in anything but absolutely ideal lighting conditions.
I am now leaving it to charge overnight as the battery was only half charged upon arrival. All in all I am extremely happy with my purchase so far (FedEx & customs drama aside). For those readers keeping score at home, the initial order from Astrohaus was $865USD/ $1373 AUD, shipping to Australia was $238 USD/ $362 AUD and customs duties and taxes was approx $250 AUD after credit card surcharges. That's a total of $1985 AUD for the Freewrite Smart Typewriter 3rd Gen (Ink Special Edition) plus the felt and leather sleeve and the 2 year extended warranty. Is it worth it? Only time will tell. I would also highly recommend Justin and his team at US to Oz for the excellent and speedy service and all the help he was able to offer throughout the purchasing process.

Never thought I would be doing this, but here I am suing my previous employer, which I was with for 6 months. They let me go cause I made a complaint how a lead his hostile with me and the tasks he assigned is ridiculous. I worked with all men; 4 in the office, 1 in the warehouse, and the rest are out in the field. We all worked in a small building, where we hear everyone’s conversations from one end of the building to to another, in normal tone too. Even when one’s whisper, we cannot make out but can tell someone is whispering. That’s how small the office is. From the beginning , it all started off fine and we all get along. But not until they rehired a former female employee, let’s call her Snake. I was excited thinking I will have a female to go to lunch with and do girls talk. I was wrong. It all started the day of her interview. Even though we know we gonna hired her, Company’s policy she still has to go through the interview process. The day of the interview, I greeted Snake happily with a big smile, she given me a weak smile and walked off to the interview. After the interview I said “goodbye” to her and watch her walked out the door, while watching her I can see she mouth silently “WTH.” I shoved it off hoping that’s not toward me. By the way, she about 10 years younger than me. Snake’s first day on the job, she ignored me when walked in. Later in the day she came out of her office with our Division Manger, Jay, and yelled at me, in front of the other leads, why her orders came in duplicate when she just order quantity of 1. They all seen and did nothing, just quietly walked back to their office. I was embarrassed and just told her I looked into it. She even reached out to me in Teams, group message with other leads too, yelling at me for doing my work incorrectly and she does not understand, i told her to point out what am I doing incorrectly so i can correct it even though this is how i was trained, been doing it for months, and no one ever pointed out anything is incorrect. She just said, “nevermind” and drop the topic. Again, none of the leads in the Teams message said anything, all was silense. For the past few months everyone keeps their distance from me. It bothers. Then there was this one day I was on the phone with the vendor, going over pick-up schedule and charges, one of my lead, M, eaves drop on our conversation, only hear my side of the conversation, and start assuming stuff. He started yelling at me, assuming I am charging the company more. I proved him wrong by calling the vendor back and put him on speaker and have him retell our conversation. After the call M hung up and just went back to his office, no apologies no nothing. Next day during our office weekly meeting, I really thought we would go over what happened the previous day and find a solution. All Jay said is he will take part of my duties away. That is upsetting, but less work for me. Throughout the period of working there, coworkers I used to get along and loved chatting with, seems as though they are avoiding me and very obvious they given me the pitty look, that’s when I have a good feeling they gonna let me go. M usually assigns me tasks via email and details what he wants. But this time he comes up in person and assign a task and tells me in details what he expect -I went over what he wanted before proceeding. When completed and handed it to him, he yelled at me and bring me to the office with the Jay, in a low calm voice how I don’t listen and do my work incorrectly. I was upset and accepted it. Not long later he requested me to demand an unconditional release from our vendor, even though we have not made a payment. I started asking him does he know what an unconditional release is and when to request for one. He snarked at me he does. My office is next to his, i can hear his conversation clearly. Snake was in there talking to him, I can hear him asked her what is an unconditional released. I noticed how sweet and soft he talked to her and everyone else too, but me. I felt sad and disrespected and being made a fool by the tasks he assign. My last straw, was when i come up to him asking him how he want to proceed with a customer we have issues with, he snarked at me for asking him, even though that is his project! He eaves drop again listening in my conversation with our accounting department, and come up to me all nice for updates. I used the last hour of my shift to write a complain letter to my division manager, Jay, pointing out how M is hostile with me and the duties he demanded from me with the vendor is out of line and out of my hand. Once I pressed submit, it felt good and I drove home happy feeling I did the right thing. I really thought the next day he will pull us in or him have a conversation with M, and I will work in peace again. Next day M was real nice to me and asked me do I have the key to the office with me. Right away I knew I am gonna be let go. Jay took 2 days to respond to my email and all what was said was to try to ask for an unconditional release. All I felt was anger. Before week shift ended i reached out to Jay for a quick meeting. All what was meant to go over is how am I doing and am I meeting everyone’s expectation. Once he said “yes,” right away I asked him does he agreed how M is treating me and the tasks he given me. I pointed out, thinking it was a good idea, that each times M assign a task I will confirm it over email so we call can be on the same page. J don’t look happy and used the excuse he have errands to run and we can talk about this topic tomorrow. Again, I went home feeling good and thinking I did the right thing. Next day I was ready to talk to Jay, coming to the office in a good mood and thinking everything gonna get settled. Once walked in the door, I can’t explained it but everyone is being weird with me. I did a soft cry once I realized and except this is my work environment. Nothing I can do or say will change. They all are friends, even outside of work. I felt real sad and cry and decided to give up and take back my complaint and accept it. This is what it is, nothing I can do, beside looking for a new job. Jay finally pulled me into his office, once the door shut he said, “because of my dispute with M, paperwork had been gathered and they decided to let me go.” My respond was not what he expect, I thank him for making the right decision for both sides and I agreed with him. He started going on and on how he cares for me, I rolled my eyes and thank him again for his decision, that’s when he got up and excepted me out. I drove off happy I am no longer at that miserable place, but cried hard when I realized I’m jobless. I went crying to a friend, and suggested to do wrongful termination. Thank goodness I emailed myself a copy of my complain and his respond back. I selected my attorney all happily and later down the road, I feel like she don’t wanna help me and the demand letter stated settleling for really less. I don’t know what to do. Do i have the right to file for wrongful termination? Do you think i good case? Or am I wasting my time? Thank you.

So. I graduated high school in 2021 with a low GPA like..lower than a 2.5 I believe. Covid was a big thing and it really didn’t help me at all along with some losses I had. Can I do anything to make up for the low gpa to further my acceptance? I’ve thought about working at my birds veterinarian’s office would she be able to write me a letter of recommendation for pre vet school? (only with her comfort and permission) I’m really embarrassed of this GPA and i’m aware it can’t be changed after graduation but i’m told I can make up for it I just don’t know how and I really don’t want to give up on this. I have a passion for vet med I just have to do something and I hope it reaches the right people.

Warning, very long and confusing post ahead:
On 4/20 I found out im pregnant with my second, after taking a test at home. (first is now 8, almost 9). Without all the details, I am not in the same place mentally, emotionally, etc that I was while pregnant with my first. I was younger and not in a healthy relationship, but I did have more help from friends and family, and financially I was in a better place. I was scared then too, but no where near as unprepared and scared as I was finding out this time. Of course I’d hoped I would be in a better position in life and stronger and better and all the things.. if I ever had another child, but to put it lightly, life throws curveballs, and all that… and the last two years especially, taught me that life is not a linear, continually uphill path. There will be some tumbling back down and starting over… so to speak. So without going on and on, I ended up deciding to seek help with figuring out what I wanted to do because I was very unsure.
my periods have been irregular for well over a year, I had attributed it to stress. I only took a test because I had some symptoms, I’m not on birth control, so I knew it was a possibility. (please refrain from judging/ lecturing. The how and why is very complicated, and this story is going to be long enough.. and I’m doing what I need to, to address it all) but I wasn’t doing a great job of tracking anything and I’m embarrassed to say I wasn’t and am still not exactly sure how far along I might be. I had routine care while I was pregnant with my first, but found out early, because my period was like clockwork then, so 2 days late I had tested positive. I went to one of the only places available in my area at the time, and I didn’t have a great experience, but I also didn’t really question whether I was going to go through with the pregnancy, and just went straight to prenatal care. I had blood testing done finding out I was 3-4 weeks initially, and then a normal ultrasound at 8 weeks, and regularly from then on.
So this was my first experience with abortion/ family planning clinics and my first time being unsure of when I actually got pregnant, which left me both nervous and driving myself insane with scenarios. And the other stress in my life is just amplifying it.
The day of my appointment (4/29) I was running late and so I called to let them know. I quickly googled the number of the place, when I realized I couldn’t find it in my phone, from scheduling it the week before. A woman answered, she was friendly but told me I wasn’t in their system or scheduled for that day. I quickly realized I called the wrong number, and started to apologize. The two clinics are on the same street. She was still being very nice and started telling me they could see me anyway, that day, and even started saying they could do an ultrasound if I wanted, I didn’t even need to worry about having insurance. I said no thank you. I was suspicious, but not fully aware yet of who I had even accidentally called. I told her no thank you and-hurried and called the correct office, that I had initially booked an appt with. they were overbooked that day as it was, and apologized, but they couldn’t push my appt any later and had to reschedule for a couple days later.
My anxiety, and desperation to get some answers, coupled with pressure on myself and stress, led me to call the other clinic, back.
They were happy to get me in, and I showed up. I started putting pieces together on the way over, and confirmed my suspicions when I walked in and saw the Bible verses on the walls. I started to change my mind and was preparing myself to leave but started convincing myself maybe these clinics weren’t as corrupt as I had heard, and that maybe the horror stories were just that. Maybe I was being dramatic, I was just stressed, these women were nice, etc blah blah
They asked for a urine sample and the woman who introduced herself as a nurse and another woman, appeared, but didn’t introduce herself, and had me sit in a room, them across from me, like an interview. They had notepads and internally I start freaking out at this point and I am about to get up and leave because everything now feels incredibly off, but the woman asks if I took a home test, I say yes. She looks at me , smiling “How did you feel, when you saw that positive test.?” I was already visibly nervous and upset at that point and so when she asked that it felt very invasive. I started to explain that I wasn’t oblivious to what they were doing and said I’d like them to stop. They backed off some and started back tracking, asking if I wanted to just get the ultrasound done, for my peace of mind. I definitely should have left, but like I said, my headspace was STRESSED and extremely anxious and I just WANTED to KNOW something. It didn’t even occur to me they might lie about what was on the ultrasound, or anything. I don’t know why it didn’t, but I know I wasn’t thinking clearly at all, and while I had started accepting that they would pressure me into keeping the pregnancy, I started trying to rationalize that I didnt think it was legal for them to do an ultrasound, a medical exam, if they weren’t qualified to do so?…. I still have so many questions and didn’t realize how little I knew about my own rights, and the legal aspects surrounding these things, until now.
I was showed a screen, (not the one the nurse used, she kept that turned to get the entire time) and showed me a normal enough seeming ultrasound. She did one on my stomach and one internally. I didn’t see a noticeable baby, just a sac… I did think I saw flickering, like when I saw my firsts heartbeat, at one point, but she moved the wand away and didn’t speak almost the entire time, never pointing anything out. I know this sounds so stupid but I assumed it was another organ? Or glitching maybe I don’t know…she apologized for being quiet, said she “had to concentrate.” She finally tells me what feels like 5 years later, I look to be 5 weeks 0 days. I take her word for it. I’m pretty overwhelmed. The other woman, (counselor, nurse, stranger????) was in the room the entire time, sitting behind me. Again I’m realizing how absurd this is now that I’m replaying it, and I’m mortified, but it happened and now here I am. Looking back they were uncomfortably quiet, and offered no reassurance really. But then as I’m preparing to leave, while I’m just going through the motions and lost in my thoughts, they tell me they want to try to hear the heartbeat next week, they’re sure they’ll be able to then. They’re almost like, giddy, lose any air of “professionalism” and hand me a box wrapped in a pink bow, that I opened at home and found out had a newborn onesie inside, that said “best gift ever.”
I’m still reeling. This was 2 Weeks ago. I’m upset. I feel stupid. I’m confused and feel like I was taken advantage of, in a way. And worst of all, I am now second guessing everything I thought I “found out.” The ultrasound picture they gave me, was cut off at the top. There is no date, time, name or gestational weeks.. I didn’t go to the follow up appointment, and instead scheduled an appointment with the office I went to for my first pregnancy. But I didn’t tell them what happened or that i had an ultrasound done already, I just told them the date of the positive test, and last suspected period. (Even though, with suspicious clinic saying 5 Weeks- that would mean I had a “period” after I was already pregnant- which is what led me to wonder if I was further along) couldn’t get me in until next week, when, if I go off of the ultrasound, would make me 9 weeks. Normal timing to be seen but I have been on a mental rollercoaster.
I feel like I’ve “popped” this past week, I have a noticeable bump, and everything just feels very off. I have been so depressed and confused I haven’t tried to get any help sooner because I’m just ashamed. But it is worrying me to death that maybe they lied, and my ultrasound was a fake, and I’ve now waited too long to have a choice. I think I decided I want to go through with this anyway, but I now wonder how much of my decision is being influenced by what happened? Pregnancy hormones are already difficult, my life has been chaos and while I think I’m making the decision based on my own choice, I’m not sure I can even trust myself and my decision making anymore after all this confusion… I really need any advice, guidance, support I don’t know. Am I being paranoid? Am I losing it? Is it unlikely a pro life clinic would really go that far?… I’m under too much stress to know what may just be me overreacting, and what is genuinely a concern, and what to do about it all either way. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you

I'll try to make it short... My package got lost but AliExpress marked it as delivered so I opened a dispute where as proof I provided a letter from post office stating that my package was never received by them aswell as tracking info from the post office website since they were the ones that were supposed to deliver it AliExpress just told me to provide missing parcel documents and refused to refund, I asked them how to get it and they copy pasted the same message, after that they just closed the dispute. I got in contact with AliExpress and they explained how to get it so after about 2-3 weeks I finally got it... I tried to re-open dispute can't do that... I appealed it and after providing the document they gave me the same fu*** message and told me that any other supporting evidence should be be provided in your dispute which is long closed, theyre not responding to any more emails... Any help? Anyone was in this situation?

I am very paranoid haha. I told my profs that I had LORS due one month from today because that’s when the school year ends and I didn’t want to have to worry about not being able to contact them over summer. I had most of these profs last year so don’t have any classes with them now.
I emailed them four months ago and all of them replied, 1 month ago and 2 out of 3 of them replied. One of them said she’d finish it in a week but sadly I haven’t heard from her since. I also emailed them last week but didn’t hear back from all three of them.
I don’t want to be annoying sending a ton of emails. How often should I remind them? I don’t want to annoy them during their office hours either because I’m not in those classes anymore and don’t want to take time away from actual students there so I won’t do that till the last few days probably, but how often do you guys nudge your letter writers?

I have been offered a new-grad FM position at FQHC in California. HCOL. I was offered salary $140K. Eligible for NHSC award (~$120K tax free distributed over three years) which I received. Sign-on bonus $10K annually for up to five years. 4% match on 403b. Typical malpractice and tail coverage. PTO 160 hours per year, 3 days paid sick time, ~11.5 paid holidays. One week paid CME time off. $2000 CME. Several good health coverage options to choose from. Vision and dental insurance basically covered by employer. Flexible schedule involves 36 pt contact hours M-F. Pt load will start at one per hour then increase to ~20/day.
One PA who started two years ago was also offered $140K. He has not received a raise for the past two years. When discussing raises with HR, they said they offer raises “equitably“ so that all staff receive them simultaneously. Thus, they haven’t been able to sustainably five everyone raises in the past year. Meanwhile, the company’s public finances online seem to show that those in leadership have received raises…
Another PA who has worked there for decades emphasized that I should ask for more money.
I really want this job. I’d take it as is. The original listing showed salary range 130-160K. I’d to negotiate. While I’d like to show them other offer letters to use as leverage, I’ve canceled other interviews because I’m preparing for PANCE next week. I’m considering asking for salary of $150K or $155K. How would others proceed? I could emphasize my experience in community medicine, my English/Spanish bilingualism (the patients at the clinic mostly speak Spanish)? Would others negotiate by email or over phone? With HR director Or CMO?

Situation 1: Michelle, an international student, will be studying in Hualien County to obtain her degree and hopes to gain a better understanding of the National Health Insurance.
Q1: How and when can I obtain the NHI (National Health Insurance) card? A1: NHI stands for National Health Insurance, which is necessary for all individuals living in Taiwan. Of course, the process of obtaining NHI depends on your residency status as a foreigner living in Taiwan. Let's break down how and when you can get NHI!
Foreign Students If you've come to Taiwan to study at a university, getting NHI is quite straightforward. It's important to remember that foreigners can obtain NHI only after living continuously in Taiwan for six months on an ARC (Alien Resident Certificate), but you are allowed to leave the country once for up to 30 days during this 6-month period. After these six months, your university will collect insurance fees for each semester upon registration. As a student, you'll only need to pay the insurance fee, which is 826 NTD as of 2024, and then wait for notification from the university that your card is ready for collection. Insurance fees are collected from September to February in the first semester and from March to August in the second semester.
International students can be employed part-time in Taiwan. In this case, students with a steady part-time job should be registered in the program as employees through their employers. Don't forget to inform your university about this. The university will reimburse you a portion of the insurance fee you've already paid.
If you are seasonally employed, meaning you are a full-time student who only works during summer and winter vacations for fewer than 3 months and returns to school when classes resume, you do not need to change your enrollment status during the period of employment.
Foreign Workers A foreign worker must be registered in the National Health Insurance Program from the first day of employment. Therefore, those working in Taiwan are not subject to the six-month waiting period. Your employer should register you and be responsible for paying your insurance (formerly known as the "insurance registration organization").
If you're a company chairperson or owner, you need to set up your own insurance registration unit. If you have another primary job, you can be insured through that company or agency without enrolling as a responsible person.
If you're employed but don't have a fixed employer, like being a member of an occupational union, a farmers' or fishermen's association, or are actively involved in farming or fishing, you should enroll in the National Health Insurance through your respective union or association.
If you are working two jobs at the same time, then you should be registered in the NHI program through your main employer. Your main employer is the one where you work more hours; if the hours are similar, then income can be the deciding factor.
Unemployed foreigners If you are unemployed and qualify as a dependent, you should be registered in the NHI program through your employed spouse or direct blood relatives.
If you cannot be enrolled through your spouse or direct blood relatives, you are required to enroll in the program at the local administrative office where your household is registered, under the identity of a "regional citizen."
If you are an unemployed veteran or a dependent of a deceased veteran, then you can enroll in the program through the administrative office where your household is registered under the identity of "veteran."
For more information, please feel free to ask or refer to the NHI handbook (click the specific link below).
Q2: What medical services are covered by the NHI? A2: The National Health Insurance (NHI) in Taiwan covers a wide range of medical services, such as: Outpatient services Inpatient services Emergency care Surgery Laboratory tests Prescription drugs Dental care Mental health services Traditional Chinese Medicine Rehabilitation services The medical payments include diagnosis, assessment, laboratory tests, consultations, surgical procedures, anesthesia, prescriptions, supplies, therapies, nursing care, and covered hospital accommodations. Essentially, all essential healthcare services are included in the system.
Q3: How can I understand the cost of services under NHI in advance? A3: Under Taiwan's National Health Insurance (NHI), patients are required to make co-payments for medical services, including hospital visits, outpatient care, prescription drugs, and various medical procedures.
Let's see a breakdown of typical co-payments for various medical services under NHI! Visiting a hospital or clinic with a referral: Co-payment for Medical Center with referral is fixed at 170 NTD. For Regional Hospital it is 100 NTD. For District Hospital it is 50 NTD. And for Clinic it is 50 NTD. Visiting a hospital directly without a referral costs more: Co-payment for Medical Center without referral is fixed at 420 NTD. For Regional Hospital it is 240 NTD. For District Hospital it is 80 NTD. And for Clinic co-payment remains fixed at 50 NTD. For visiting dentist and traditional Chinese clinics, the co-payment is fixed at 50 NTD regardless of the level of medical institution.
Important to know For patients with a disability identification, the basic co-payment is charged at the Clinic rate (NT$50) regardless of the level of medical institution visited by the patient.
The following situations are regarded as visits with referral: Follow-up visits within one month of a medical visit with a referral sheet, limited to a maximum of four times. The first follow-up visit after outpatient surgery, emergency surgery, or discharge from the hospital. The first follow-up visit within six weeks after childbirth. Therefore, the co-payment for such visits is charged according to the standards of medical visits with referral, and hospitals may issue relevant certificates for patients. During a course of treatment, patients only need to pay the co-payment for their initial visit (excluding rehabilitative physical therapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine traumatology).
Emergency Care Co-payment Standard: Medical Center: 740 NTD Regional Hospital: 400 NTD District Hospital: 150 NTD Clinic: 150 NTD Near-poor Households/Individuals with Disabilities: Medical Center: 550 NTD Regional Hospital: 300 NTD District Hospital: 150 NTD Clinic: 150 NTD
Co-payment cost for outpatient prescribed drugs
Regular prescriptions: If the cost of the medication is equal to or less than 100 NTD: In Clinics and District Hospitals: Patients are exempt from co-payment (no co-payment). In Regional Hospitals and Medical Centers: The co-payment is 10 NTD. If the cost of the medication is equal to or greater than 101 NTD:
In all levels of medical institutions, an additional 20% will be charged for every 100 NTD. For example, if the price of medication is in the 101-200 NTD range, then the co-payment is 20 NTD; if in the 201-300 NTD range, then the co-payment is 40 NTD. In Clinics and District Hospitals: If the medication cost starts from 1001 NTD, the upper limit for co-payment is reached, and the co-payment is fixed at 200 NTD. In Regional Hospitals and Medical Centers: If the medication cost is in the range from 1001-1500 NTD, the co-payment is fixed at 200 NTD.If the medication cost starts from 1501 NTD, the upper limit of co-payment is reached at 300 NTD.
Refillable prescriptions: In Clinics: Patients are exempted from the co-payment. In District Hospitals, Regional Hospitals, and Medical Centers: The first time filling a refillable prescription follows the same rules as outlined above for regular prescriptions. From the second refill onwards, patients are exempted from the co-payment.
Important to know For Traditional Chinese medication co-payment, the same system as that of Clinics is used. Costs under 100 NTD are exempt; for costs equal to or greater than 101 NTD, an additional 20% will be charged for every 100 NTD. At Dental Clinics, outpatient prescription drug expenses are exempted from co-payment. Emergency Care Prescription: For Clinics and District Hospitals: 150 NTD For Regional Hospitals: 400 NTD. For Medical Centers: 750 NTD. I hope now you have a better understanding of how to calculate the cost of medical services under NHI. Feel free to ask more questions or refer to this webpage (click the specific link below).
Q4: What services are completely free under NHI? A4: With NHI, you can access a wide range of medical services at very affordable prices, and some services are fully covered! However, it's always a good idea to ask your doctor or a consultant at the hospital/clinic about which services will be covered.
Let's break down what kind of services can be fully covered under NHI: Basic Medical Examinations: These are routine tests to check your health, like measuring blood pressure, checking cholesterol levels, and assessing kidney function through urine tests. Preventive Services like Vaccinations and Screenings: This includes vaccines to protect against diseases like measles, mumps, and rubella, as well as screenings for diseases like cancer or diabetes. These screenings aim to catch health problems early for easier treatment. Essential Surgeries: These surgeries are necessary to treat a medical condition and improve health or save lives. For example, removing an appendix, fixing a broken bone, or treating a serious infection. Hospital Stays in General Rooms: This means staying in a hospital room shared with other patients (one room with 3 beds or more) and having basic facilities. General rooms provide standard care for conditions that don't require intensive monitoring or specialized equipment. Some Prescription Medications: Certain medicines prescribed by doctors are fully covered by NHI, so patients can get them from the pharmacy without paying anything. These often include essential medications for common conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and infections. Medications with a cost below 100 NTD will be fully covered or will require a 10 NTD co-payment. Dental care: Most medications prescribed by dentists are fully covered by the National Health Insurance (NHI). However, it's important to note that full-mouth anesthesia is not covered. Also, you have the right to receive two dental cleanings per year fully covered, allowing the general public to get dental calculus removal. People with tooth decay may be eligible, depending on a dentist's evaluation, for fluoride varnish treatment. As long as the cavity does not reach the pulp (where the tooth's nerves and blood vessels are located), it can be fully covered by the National Health Insurance (NHI). Generally, the National Health Insurance (NHI) will cover the extraction of wisdom teeth, supernumerary teeth, and impacted teeth. However, extractions for corrective purposes (teeth that are intact and without decay problems) will not be covered by NHI.
Medical expenses in Taiwan are relatively inexpensive, so don't worry about spending a lot of money when seeing a doctor. Therefore, don't be afraid to go to the hospital.
Q5: In which hospitals can I utilize NHI services, specifically at Hualien hospitals? A5: Here is the list of hospitals in Hualien in Chinese (the English version will be posted and updated later). But if we talk about the most popular hospitals in Hualien where you can definitely get assistance in English, then we can list these hospitals: Mennonite Christian Hospital Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital Hualien Hospital Smiles-Dental
Q6: Is it possible to receive NHI consultation in English? A6: Yes! It is possible to receive NHI consultation in English! The back of the NHI card has a hotline number for inquiries: 0800-030-598, or by mobile phone call 02-412-8678. Calling the number is free of charge.

Hi, any advice for my sister who really wants to resign pero now, undecided na.
So ito yung nangyari: -Napuna ko na umiiyak na sya araw araw at stress na. -Then, napapahiya sya sa office. Yung inuutos sa kanya, end up pinapagawa sa iba. -Hindi nya feel na may contribution sya. -If pinapapasok sila ng linggo, offset na raw yun sa saturday (if hindi papasok ng saturday)
She submitted her resignation letter but her manager urge her to rethink kasi daw need 2 yrs experience kapag nag apply(first job nya ito, kaka 1yr lang nya sa company and tiniis nya lahat yun kasi ayaw nyang ipakita na mahina sya if magquit/resign).
Now, she doesn't know if she'll push through it. Nakikita ko na very matamlay na sya, sometimes isolates herself.