Hi everyone! I am looking for some answers via experience with maternity leave in Canada. I have seen multiple posts about people in the United States taking maternity leave, but I am thinking it is a bit different here. For context, I am an older student and I am married. My husband has a great job that is able to support both of us as long as as I use my government student loans to their maximum. He has no problem, taking some time off of work to be home with baby, and my understanding is that if he were to take a paternity leave, he would receive some sort of income, a smaller one at around $600 a week. We have been on and off trying to get pregnant in “ideal” timed situations. But obviously we all know that pregnancy doesn’t always work like that! Therefore, I will be pregnant at some point during the three-year program that I am about to begin in Calgary. I have a few questions that I will list 👇🏼
1) if you could pick an ideal time to have a child, when would you do it? Please keep in mind that I am in a three-year program so I don’t have any summers off.
2) how does your school typically handle maternity leaves? I am wondering if I should have this conversation with them before trying? It does feel a bit weird stretching the conversation outside of myself and my husband in terms of planning.
3) is it likely I will need to take a full year off? I’m wondering if anyone has ever had the option to perhaps complete school asynchronously for a month while home recovering? I am a bit worried about falling behind for a full year.
4) any other helpful pieces of advice from moms or dads, or students who have been in this position before would be so helpful!
Thank you in advance for everything!

Is it normal to have male friends sneak diss you? Answer ; NO. For too long I thought I was just being sensitive and that guys just talk shit. Now I’m just disappointed and disgusted by it.
I cut things off with a cis gay guy who I’ve know for a while because of how insecure he came off. All his friends recently left him and he has a history of using ppl and just being a dick all around. He’d throw in back handed compliments to me like “idk how you eat so many carbs and still have abs” as if I don’t work a trade , go to the gym and do other active things outside of work. For context he used to be fat and is now skinny fat. He also admitted to having filler put in his face.
Any time id share something I was proud off like saving up for school on my own or not worrying about getting a new job because I’m confident in my ability and work ethic it was either crickets or he’d try and down play it. He has a criminal record and is allergic to hard work lol. I think the cherry on the cake was when I recently bought a somewhat rare car and got more compliments when we drove late at night lol. At the car meet as we passed the motorcycles, I said that Im looking at starting on an R3 … he said it was a bitch bike. The list goes on. He just had a way of shitting on others when they had something positive going on in their life but would swear he was hot shit even if he wasn’t.
Playful jokes I get. I joke around with my coworkers everyday but this guy is something different. I felt like shit every time I was around him and it got to a point where I realized I had more to offer him then the other way around. I’m saying all this to say, this shit is exhausting and I wouldn’t do it to others so why allow it for myself. And don’t get me wrong I’ve said shit back but deep down that’s not the kind of relationship I want with a “friend”. I have too much shit on my plate to stroke the ego of a man child.

Let's not expect other teams to do our job for us. If we don't finish in the Top 2, it's because we didn't do our job well enough when it mattered most.
🔆 The pitch was a murder story brewing to happen, and the victims were the bowlers. We could go on and on about how we didn't get any wickets in the powerplay and allowed two domestic batsmen to plunder runs against us, but it doesn't change the fact that the pitch had nothing to offer the seam bowlers. And no, new ball and overcast conditions don't mandatorily induce swing. This pitch was as barren as the white Rann of Kutch. So a decent mix of non-threatening bowling coupled with brave shot-making of the PBKS batters resulted in that inflated powerplay score. The team selection was definitely done keeping the pitch in mind. Cummins more or less should have been aware of the batting conditions, and accordingly, a batting-heavy team was selected to both test our chasing capabilities and put the primary bowlers under pressure before the crucial playoffs.
🔆 Vijayakanth was bashed a lot during his spell by the fans. But people need to stay connected to the fact that he's not a mystery bowler. He's not going to extract something out of nothing. As a traditional leggie, he did what he was conditioned to do under these situations. He went on the defensive and stuck to a leg line to save himself from the attack. A match and a player in cricket should truly be judged after the conclusion of both innings. Given the PBKS spinners gave away at an economy of 13.6, VV's economy of 9.2 looks meager in comparison. That being said, he didn't bowl a perfect spell. When the ball was gripping a bit around his first spell, he continued bowling a defensive line and length. More often than not, he bowled short to the PBKS batsmen, for which he was punished accordingly. Would I still keep him in the squad? Yes, absolutely yes. More than another enforcer with the bat, this team desperately needs a wicket-taker in the middle. That's the very reason SRH should continue gambling with VV over GP, even if it doesn't pay off. Similarly, Nitish will be branded as a fraud with the ball looking at his stats at the end. And it's fair to an extent. Bowling your first ball of the spell as a no-ball more often than not spoils spells for fast bowlers, and it happened as such for NKR. Despite being hit for a couple of boundaries, he remained persistent with his lengths. This predictability worked against him against Russow and Jitesh. It's a good thing that Cummins entrusted him to bowl three overs under these tough conditions. Figures as such can make a bowler or break his confidence for good. It's a trial by fire, and let's hope we get the better version of NKR, the bowler, out of it.
🔆 Head's wicket was a brain fade. As explained by Brian on-air, he was too late to bring his bat down and the ball just snuck through. He showed signs of rustiness after the long break and he definitely would have benefited from being subbed during the latter part of the first innings. Abhi is a frustrating tale for me. Those who have followed my posts for long should know that I've been one of his biggest supporters ever since his arrival. That's why it's so frustrating to see him be so inconsistent with his batting this season. Despite suffering so much because of the lack of feet movement, he continues playing lazy shots far away from his body. Bowling far away from him and having a dominant off-side field has been the plan against him ever since the CSK match, and he continues giving in to those tactics. Even in this match, he played a couple of unnecessary slices over the point region to the very same area where CSK managed to hole him out. The couple of times he did move around and try to cover the line, he managed to hit handsome boundaries. This modification in technique does not happen overnight and usually takes a fair bit of discipline and time. That's why it's very important for him to keep his head down, block out outside noises, and work on that issue. That being said, he beat the allegations of being ineffective without the support of Head. And that's a step in the right direction.
🔆 Trips turned back the clock! I've always emphasized Trips to be more suitable for opening than batting first down with a semi-new ball. When the ball doesn't move that much and is still hard enough to be hit well, Trips is a different kind of batter. And from the very first ball, he showed glimpses of his past self. Rahul Tripathi is and always has been a confidence player. His performances on the field are reminiscent of the peripheral confidence he gathers before and during his stay in the crease. The less he gets beaten, the fewer Dot Balls he faces, the more confidently he goes through with his shots. I won't say anything new regarding him that I've not said already in here.(Do give it a read if you've not already) Judging by his innings tonight, he'd definitely get his place back in the playoffs. The onus is entirely upon himself to turn the situation around and not ruin his legacy with us. NKR had a decent partnership with Abhi despite struggling initially. He did have luck in his favor a couple of times there, but he made sure to keep up with the RRR to never let the match get away. Klaas, on the other hand, teed off at the start and eventually slowed down after the fall of wickets to secure the win. It's shame that he didn't finish the chase, but that's a discussion that should've taken place had we bottled this.
🔆 This win was necessary for multiple reasons. I wanted a 200+ chase before the end of the group stage so that our batsmen don't carry a burden into such a crucial phase. The RCB match set a precedent for the opposition to score 200+ by batting first against us, and rightfully so, our batsmen failed to comply with the NRR pressure. It showed a definitive weakness in our batting for opponents to exploit, and this match mitigated those worries to some extent. I said 'to some extent' as we made it a little more difficult at the end than we should have. It wasn't 100% confidence-inducing, but it was something at least. There's always a place to start, and I'm glad we started in the right direction.

Recently, I(15, freshman) have rediscovered a passion for the sciences, more specifically Physics, so I wanted to try a hand at Isef, both for yay learning :D but also for a college application boost and skill improvement.
The problem is that I have severely limited knowledge on Physics; My current math is just geometry, and the only physical science class that I've taken is an 8th grade concept-based course with very little mathematical problem solving. I am set to take a summer course on Algebra 2 this year to skip over to AP precalc BC (prereq for Calc in my school) and while I can start studying Algebra 2 now, I have no idea how to self-study and I take too long to go over 3 pages by myself than I do with a teacher. I have no other skills or knowledge to rely on like programming, basic knowledge on how computer works, etc, other than art. I believe I able to learn and extrapolate things fairly quickly however, but it is at the risk of me forgetting it, but that could be solved with constant study. Plus, I've never participated in a science fair before, but I am currently learning the process of scientific research.
I do think it would be harder to come up with an isef-worthy question/idea since Physics requires such advanced math, and so learning the necessary background information to even begin looking for ideas/background research would require much more time and effort.
What should I do to overcome this obstacle? Was I incorrect (would be a great relief if I was)? Do I still have time? Or is this a lost cause? If so, what can I do to so I make my way to a good university and major in Physics?

Hi there, this will be a bit long. I appreciate you reading it all lol :)
I’m only looking for women
What I’m Looking For:
I’m looking for someone to make a connection with, and hopefully become something serious and last forever :) I want someone I can give all of me to and share my life with. I can talk to you about anything, and just fully be myself with and don’t have to hold anything back. Someone I can share my deepest thoughts with, and most unhinged parts XD. And they also share with me all of them. I’ve always dreamed of being fully known and understood by someone. Someone loving me for all of me, and loving someone for all of them. I have a world of love to give and want someone I can shower in it. I’m a hopeless romantic, after everything I’ve been through I still choose to believe true love is real and I’ll have it one day.
I want something that will truly last forever through anything. “Ride or die” is such a cringe term to me lol, but that’s what I’m really looking for. I have an unshakable loyalty when I’m committed to someone. My love is almost unconditional when I’m locked in.
Only message if you’re sure looking for something serious.
Do not message me if you ever ghost people If you’re not feeling it I would appreciate you telling me.
A little bit about me.
I’m a INTJ 5w4, and personality wise, I’m like 2 different people lol. Emotional and logical. I can be really sweet and wholesome. Supportive, the kind of person that will always be there for you. I’m also extremely affectionate both physically and with words. I’ll always talk about how much you mean to me :) But I also can be a quite overly logical jerk lol. Best of both worlds I guess. When I’m comfortable I can be really goofy and loud, and give crackhead energy, but in the beginning I’m really quiet and reserved. I try to be positive and nonjudgmental, while also being very strongly opinionated XD.
I also can be pretty dark. I have a good mixture of being wholesome and dark lol. It’s weird
I’m a contradiction but I love that about myself. You shouldn’t message me if you’re easily scared away, I am a pretty eccentric person generally lol I can ramble about weird/random stuff, and be pretty extra sometimes. I can talk in a kind of unfiltered way. I don’t want to have to hold those things back lmao.
Important tidbits. * I have a fear of abandonment and anxious attachment style. * I am obsessive and clingy when I fall for someone. (Not in a crazy way) lol * I am left leaning on most things. * Strictly Monogamous * Agnostic atheist. * I have BPD, we can talk about what that entails * In college for accounting * I have a pretty dark humor XD
Looks wise: I’m black, 5’2, very masc presenting, I have a short haircut and dress masc. I am def plus size, but definitely not like huge lol and currently losing weight as well :)
Interests: Gaming, true crime docs, horrothriller movies, I love all kinds of music. Particularly R&B, rock/metal, and Kpop though XD. I watch a lot of YouTube and tiktok. Working out/going to the gym, as I’ve recently started a new fitness journey. I’m kind of huge homebody tbh, wanting to get out more and have new experiences.
Who I’m Looking For:
Looks don’t matter much to me. You can be fem or masc.
Personality wise: I like a lot of different personalities. Some important traits though would be having emotional intelligence, Someone patient and caring. Also having a good logical side is very very important to me. As I said above I’m pretty affectionate and clingy so I’d match best with someone also like that lol. You can be introverted or extroverted. But too extroverted won’t be a match.
Age 22 to 40. I am from Chicago in the US, but I would love to talk to women from anywhere. I’m open to relocate anywhere gay mar riage is legal lol
Thank you for reading all of this. If you’re interested please message me a little about you. :)

I met Luna on a train two years ago. I’d just escaped from a toxic relationship, so romance was the last thing on my mind, but then she sat across from me in the carriage and asked about the book I was reading. She had a copy in her bag and wanted to know if it was any good.
I'd never felt such an instant, effortless connection with anybody before. I took a chance and asked her to dinner, and by the time the waiters cleared away our desserts, I already felt comfortable being vulnerable around her. So we went on a second date. And a third. And next thing I knew, we were planning our second anniversary.
In all that time she never gave off any 'creeper' vibes. Until a few months ago, when I stayed the night over at her place...
She'd gotten up early to use the bathroom. I grabbed her laptop off the side desk so I could catch up on some work e-mails, and the incognito tab was just sitting there. My first thought was: either she's having an affair or she's got a secret fetish.
What I found instead was a Google account with a photo album called ‘Michael’s EX’. In it, there were 427 photos of my former girlfriend turned psycho stalker, Sadie. This included shots of ‘Sadie the stalker’ with her family, screenshots of her passport—the works. On Facebook, Sadie's latest post said Moving to the Philippines, and since then she’d become a social media church mouse, so how did Luna keep her under surveillance? And how did you even get PERSONAL ID from a person halfway across the globe?
Down the hall, I heard the bathroom door swing open. Quickly I closed the laptop and pretended to be asleep until Luna planted a kiss on my lips. “Wakey wakey Bugs.”
I faked a stretch. “Morning Lola."
(At school, the other kids christened me ‘Bugs’ because of my cartoonishly large front teeth; I called Luna ‘Lola’ because of her blonde bangs and heart-shaped face.)
“How about we grab a fry for breakfast?” Her smile didn’t seem genuine, more like she was wearing a mask.
“Crap. I forgot I’m doing overtime today, I’ve gotta get to work.” With that, I shot out of there faster than a bullet train to Tokyo.
Because I didn’t wanna believe the worst about someone I cared so deeply about, I didn’t contact the police (not that anybody could’ve guessed what Luna was up to) and made excuses whenever she asked to meet, delaying the decision whether to end our relationship.
At night, I couldn’t sleep. Every time a hedge rustled outside, I’d run to the window and pull back the curtain only to discover a black cat skulking around the garden. I put this down to my previous relationship leaving me with a mountain of unresolved PTSD.
Sadie the stalker also seemed normal until we moved in together. After that she started picking fights if she caught me talking to another woman, even just distant relatives or childhood friends. The screaming matches went from weekly to nightly, only ever ending when I conceded to her every wish and gave her full access to my phone and social media accounts. I literally needed to grab my clothes into a bag and run away one night, and then I started hearing noises outside my new apartment. And although I never found any evidence, I was pretty sure she’d broken in at one point because the books on my side table were suddenly out of order one day. What hurt the most was Luna knew all this and still acted the way she did.
Right as I reached my lowest point, my close friend Gertrude called and said, “The universe is telling me you could use a sympathetic ear.”
I told her the universe didn’t know the half of it.
I’d met Gertrude—aka my surrogate mother—on a flight to London. Passing over Wales the aircraft hit heavy turbulence, and the grey-haired hippie in the seat next to mine squeezed my hand so tight that my fingers turned blue. After we levelled off, she apologized and said, “So what’s calling you to London?”
“A job.”
A few glasses of wine from the service trolley later, she blurted out, “You know your aura is strikingly similar to my husbands.”
“Uhh, thanks. Where is he now?”
“Oh, he burned to death in a house fire.”
Gertrude’s eyes started welling up. To take her mind off the subject, I said, “I lied earlier. I’m going to London because I fell in love with a Londoner.” I pulled up pictures of Sadie (back in her pre-stalker days) on my phone. “We met in Italy. She looked flustered trying to read a map book so I offered to help. Next thing I knew, we were planning a trip to this place called Orvieto.”
“Michael, I need to know how this story ends. Gimme your number.”
Since then, we’d met two or three times a year.
I laid the whole mess out over pizza. It was the first time since finding the Google account I didn’t feel hidden eyes crawling all over me.
Just as I wrapped up the story, over in the corner booth, a family burst into a chorus of happy birthday. A waiter appeared carrying a chocolate cake, capped by a giant candle that looked more like a flare. Gertrude tensed up.
“So what do you think about all this?” I asked.
She looked back at me and said, “It’s possible your reaction has been a touch on the dramatic side.”
“DRAMATIC??”
“Well consider things from Luna’s point of view. Your last relationship lasted for, what, three years? Maybe she felt threatened.”
“I don’t believe this.” I grabbed a cigarette from my pocket, but Gertrude snatched it away.
“You know how I feel about you poisoning your lungs, Michael.”
“Don’t you start. I got enough of that crap from Luna.”
Gertrude always encouraged me to work through my romantic problems. Ultimately, I decided her love of fairytale romances clouded her judgement and ghosted Luna instead. But I couldn’t escape her shadow. She always felt close. In fact, it got so bad that at a friend’s costume party several weeks later, my eyes kept compulsively scanning the crowd as if she was there in disguise, ready to pounce.
I stood off to the corner until, over the sea of heads, I spotted a beautiful stranger dressed as Jarlath the Goblin King. I took a shot of liquid courage and made a B-line towards her.
Halfway across the crowded room, beer splashed across the front of my Ziggy Stardust outfit.
“I am so sorry,” a female pirate said, patting me dry.
“Don’t worry about it.” Every time I tried circling her, she moved to cut me off.
“I am such a klutz. Why don’t you come into the kitchen so I can clean up this mess?”
I put my hands on her shoulders and steered her out of the way. “It’s fine. Trust me.”
Approaching Jarlath from behind, heart slamming against my chest, I said, “Well this is awkward. One of us is gonna have to change.”
Jennie had bright blue eyes and dimples impossible to miss. Ten minutes into our debate about David Bowie’s greatest album, I said, “You know Absolute Bowie are playing the Half Moon next week. I could take you?”
“Sorry. I’m going with my boyfriend,” she said with a sympathetic smile. From beside the buffet table, the pirate stared daggers in our direction.
“No worries,” I replied, despite the fact I was brimming with jealousy.
The next day, as I jogged off my hangover, a brown-haired lady cut across my path and we both went spinning to the ground.
“Flip, sorry.” I rushed to pull her up by the hands. “I’m like a bloody zombie lately.”
She did a doubletake. “Ziggy, right?”
There was no mistaking those eyes. “Jarlath?”
“Well, Jarlath or Jennie. Eithers fine.”
“Right. Well, sorry again. Enjoy Absolute Bowie.”
Before I could jog away, she said, “Hey, so that guy I was seeing? Turns out he’s a total prick.”
Jennie and I went for coffee. Coffee morphed into drinks. Drinks morphed into a steamy make-out session on my sofa.
But as she covered my neck in soft kisses, my stomach turned. It felt like cheating. So, I put the brakes on things and said, “I can’t do this. I’m really sorry. You’re amazing, but I just got out of a serious relationship…and…it’s just…”
“Hey, don’t worry about it.”
We agreed we’d let our connection blossom in its own time.
Jennie had a playful mystique to her. Within a handful of dates, we’d developed inside jokes and could tell what the other was thinking. But Luna’s imprint was hard to shake, to the extent I almost mixed up the two ladies’ names multiple times.
To detox, I suggested Jennie and I spend a romantic weekend in the Lake District, because after two days of hiking and kayaking my ex would no doubt be a spec in the rearview mirror.
Hours before we set off, however, Luna’s mom called. She wanted to meet and wouldn’t accept any excuses.
“Look, it’s obvious why I’m here,” she said, sitting across from me in Starbucks. “Ever since you and Luna broke up, she’s been acting…different.”
“Different? Different how?”
“I call but she hardly answers. I go over to her place but she’s never there. Now she’s telling me she needs to find herself. Says she’s moving to Australia.”
Her fingers tightened around her cup. “I need to know what happened between you two. And I don’t care if that paints anybody in a bad light. I’m just worried about my daughter is all.”
I told her about the Google account.
“Did you confront her about it?”
“Hell no. I ghosted that crazy bitc—” I cleared my throat. “I mean, I just…stopped seeing her.”
She started crying so loudly customers at nearby tables paused their conversations. I touched her forearm, promised I’d call if I remembered anything else, then set off for my romantic weekend.
But while Jennie and I enjoyed all that fresh air and pub food, a thought nagged at me. Luna adored London, so why move to Australia? It seemed so out of character. Back at our rented cottage, I was so fixated on the thought I needed a smoke, badly.
“What the hell is that?” Jennie demanded, as she stepped onto the front deck.
I glanced at my hands. “Uhh, a cigarette.”
“Michael! Don’t be sarcastic. You know how I feel about those things.”
“…Do I?”
“Uhh, well it’s the same as anybody else. Quit poisoning your lungs and put that thing out.”
“Alright alright, geeze. Sorry Luna.”
“That’s okay.”
A knot formed in my stomach as she went back inside. I’d called Jennie Luna by mistake. And she hadn’t noticed. In fact, her reaction to me smoking was identical to Luna’s—even the snappy way she said the ‘poison your lungs’ line.
I followed Jennie into the lounge, where she’d curled up on an armchair with a Colleen Hoover novel. She was hiding something. What else did she know about Luna? Maybe I could trick her into revealing some details…
From behind, I started massaging her shoulders. “Sorry for being rude before. I know what you said came from a place of love.”
“That’s okay.”
I waited until her eyes drooped shut, then said, “It really is perfect here, huh? Maybe we should stay forever.”
“Wouldn’t that be amazing?”
Her little groans of pleasure, the rhythm of her breathing, it all felt so familiar. I waited until the tension in her neck dissolved, then I pushed my lips against her ear and whispered, “So how about we take this into the bedroom…Lola.”
“Hmm. Sure thing Bugs.”
My hands froze. Jennie jumped up. “Uhh, that felt so good, why’d you stop?”
“What did you just say?”
“What did you just say?”
“I called you Lola,” I replied, my arms frozen in midair. “And you called me bugs.”
“Like the cartoon, right? I thought it’d be a cute nickname. Anyway, I’m tuckered out.” She forced a yawn. “Why don’t we get some sleep?”
As her hand laced with mine, an image of me waking up drugged and gagged and tied to the bedposts flashed before my eyes.
I said, “Sure. I just…need to use the bathroom first.”
The second the door shut behind me, I flew out of the house, climbed in my car, and sped away.
Within seconds my phone started blowing up with calls, followed by texts. Where are you going? Is everything okay?
No, I wanted to reply. I’m onto your sick little game. Whatever it is, I’m onto it.
Luna stalked my stalker, now Jennie somehow knew Luna and I’s nicknames. How? Did all women take turns drawing straws and whoever picked the short one needed to become my girlfriend?
I couldn’t go home. For all I knew, my exes would’ve been there burning effigies of me. I needed a safe place. Somewhere I could lie low until I got all this straightened out.
“Of course you can stay,” Gertrude said over the phone. “I’m out with some friends, but I’ll meet you later. If you hop the side gate there’s a spare key under the kissing gnomes out back.”
Gertrude lived in a detached house in Wembley. It took a bit of foraging to find the gnomes hidden beneath the weeds in the brown, patchy garden.
I needed to shoulder the door open. Inside, a mountain of letters and flyers had piled up on the welcome mat.
Down the hall, a huge archway connected the landing with a lounge, where a bar sat against the far wall, surrounded by upholstered sofas, a low table, and tie dye sheets strung over the filthy carpet. Everything had a real elegant vibe, despite the musty air.
I’d drained two glasses of whiskey before Gertrude arrived.
“Looks like you’ve had a rough evening.”
I said we could talk in the morning.
“Not a chance. You can’t take negative energy to bed. Come on, confession is good for the soul.”
She sat on the sofa and patted the empty seat next to her. So, with a weary sigh, I shared a tale of deranged exes.
“Crazy,” she said.
“I sure can pick ‘em, huh?”
“No, I mean you’re crazy.”
“What?”
“Think about it. What’s more likely: that your ex’s are secretly in collusion, or you’re being paranoid? Look how bloodshot your eyes are. When’s the last time you got a good night’s rest?”
She made a great point; teenagers on the street occasionally shouted ‘Bugs’ or ‘Thumper’ at me. Jennie might’ve come up with the nickname herself. I pinched the bridge of my nose, groaning.
“Look, sleep here tonight. Tomorrow we’ll brainstorm ways you can make it up to Jennie.”
I fumbled through my pockets for a cigarette.
“Really?” Gertrude said. “If you insist on poisoning your lungs, can you at least do it away from my home?”
“Well if I can’t smoke, I’m gonna need a refill.” I shook my empty glass.
On my way toward the bar, a wave of wooziness hit me. My first instinct was to blame it on the alcohol, but there was something else.
It was her reaction to the cigarette. My finger ran through the thick layer of dust along the bar’s countertop. Why was it like the place had been abandoned? Why did Gertrude always pressure me to stay with my psycho girlfriends? And how come she always reached out, as if on cue, whenever my relationships hit problems? It couldn’t be coincidence…
I poured two glasses of whiskey and carried them to the sofa. “So, you’re really against the whole smoking thing, huh?”
“Of course. It’s a filthy habit.”
“Yeah. Plus, there was that mess with your husband. House fire, right?”
“I’d rather not discuss it.”
“Sure, sure.” I ignited the lighter with a roll across my trouser leg.
Gertrude grabbed a cushion and hugged it. “What are you doing?”
“Alright, cut the crap. What the hell’s going on? Have you been sending your friends to date me?”
“What are you talking about?”
I wrestled the cushion from her and held the lighter beneath it. “I want an explanation right now or I’m torching this place.”
This was an empty threat. I wasn’t some pyromaniac—I just wanted answers. Inch by inch, I raised the flame. “Last chance. Why are the women in my life acting weird?”
Gertrude grabbed for the lighter. As I swatted her wrists away, we both got scorched, and for a moment her skin went wild with spasms, a sensation I can only compare to reaching inside a bucket of wet, writhing maggots. My gaze whipped between her face and her hands, which vibrated like plucked guitar strings.
Before I could scream, she yanked me up, clamped a cold, wrinkled palm across my mouth, and forced me against the wall. I thrashed around, unable to move. For a lady old enough to collect a pension, she was crazy strong.
She waited until I ran out of breath, then said, “Michael, please. I’m not going to hurt you. Open your heart and listen.”
What else could I do?
“You were right before. I have been keeping a secret from you. The truth is, I’ve been in love with you since we met. I’d never flown before. And you were so so sweet. You started talking about this other woman, but I knew our energies were perfect for each other. And it’s like I always say, love makes us do crazy things. You can’t begrudge me that can you?”
She looked as if she expected me to respond, so I shook my head.
“But I think we’ve reached a point where our connection is so deep we can be completely transparent with one another.” She took a slow, steady breath. “Michael, all your ex’s, Luna, Sadie, Jennie. They’ve all been…well, me.”
I stared at her, confused.
She sighed. “It’ll be easier if I just show you.”
Out of nowhere her hand wriggled again, then her face tightened, as though the skin was being stretched over the bone. Wrinkles smoothed out and colour bled into her grey hair, turning it brown, and within seconds I found myself face-to-face with Jennie. Even her vintage clothes morphed into a green blouse and white slacks.
“See?” she said in Jennie’s voice, her now blue eyes locked on mine.
I screamed into the soft flesh of her palm.
“Sssh, it’s okay. I’m not gonna hurt you. Watch.”
Her entire body jerked and twitched, the muscles spasming as she shifted from Jennie to Luna. “See? Think of these as costumes”—from Luna to Sadie—"the important thing is what’s underneath. And you’ve fallen in love with what’s underneath three times. Now I’m going to let go, but I need you to promise you won’t overreact. Understand?”
On the verge of a panic attack, I nodded furiously.
The second she pulled away I made a break for the exit. The thing posing as Sadie grabbed me and hurled me backwards against the wall.
Like a disappointed teacher, she put her hands on her hips. “I’ve been so patient with you, Michael. So very, very patient.”
She blocked off any hope of escape. I sidestepped around the outer edge of the room, towards the bar.
“All those years moulding you. Trying to grow you into the man I know you can be. I really thought we had it this time. For the record, I wanted to do this the easy way. But drastic times...”
I was so scared I slammed right into the cabinet and yelped. Glass bottles chattered together, and then something wet ran down the back of my shirt. It was whiskey, leaking from the overturned bottle onto the carpeted floor.
Speaking more to herself now, Gertrude said, “I’ll just have to keep you here until you love me as much as I love you. Of course, that means posing as you so nobody gets suspicious, but that’s no trouble. I’ll tell your dad you’re moving to Italy. You always loved Italy.”
Pose as me? She'd been killing my ex's and taking their place, I was just the latest in a long line. She’d keep me as a personal sugar baby if I didn’t escape, but how? She was impossibly strong, and the only thing that seemed to scare her was…
Snatching the bottle, I doused the remaining whiskey all over the carpet and furniture. As I flicked the lighter open, Sadie’s hands shot up.
“Bugs…darling…what are you doing?”
I took three slow, steady breaths. “Breaking up with you, you crazy bitch.”
I tossed the lighter forward. Within seconds flames sprung up all around us, spreading as far as the sofa. Sadie’s shoe caught fire, and as she stamped around, unintentionally fanning the blaze, her body writhed again, starting with the ankles. Fat boils climbed up every inch of exposed skin, milky white and with the consistency of frog spawn, like she’d had a killer allergic reaction to poison ivy.
She dropped to her knees, wailing like a wounded animal. This was my chance.
I made a break for the exit, giving the creature as wide a berth as possible. But as I got one foot planted in the hall something clamped tight around my ankles. My chin hit the floor, then I started sliding backwards.
I twisted onto my back. Where Sadie’s left arm should’ve been, a tentacle-like appendage stretched across the length of the room, a distance of over twenty feet. It reeled me toward her like a fish on a line. Whatever that thing was no longer looked human. It melted like an ice statue, with no bones or connective tissue inside, its lips nose and mouth becoming hideously elongated before dripping off in huge globs like melted candlewax. A fire alarm started wailing as the tentacle dragged me through the flames, scorching my arms and legs.
The loose mass of skin reached out and encased me like a mother bird sheltering its eggs.
“WHY WON’T YOU LOVE ME?” all my ex’s voices screamed at once. Whichever direction I looked, silhouettes of faces rose and fell, as if trying to burst through. Parts of them dripped inside my mouth, disgustingly warm with a bitter taste worse than Vaseline.
I put everything into clawing my way out if there. What was left of the beast had the consistency of wet clay and came apart just as easily. I tore away chunks until there was a hole large enough to squeeze through. Then, I crawled along surrounded by black smoke.
At the far side of the room I risked a glance back and saw a bumpy, uneven hand reaching out of a puddle of ooze. Soon I was crawling over the bristly welcome mat, then fumbling for the door. All I remember after that are paramedics wrestling me into an ambulance…
A specialist officer came to see me at the hospital the next morning. They’d been unable to contact the homeowner, Gertrude Huyton, and through his line of questioning I could tell they hadn’t found her ‘remains’ inside the charred house. Like the wicked witch of the West, my stalker had melted. I told the officer she said I could stay the night, and that I probably started the fire by dropping a cigarette.
“In that case, we’ll keep trying to reach her.” He walked to the curtain surronding my bed and paused. “Oh, and I almost forgot to mention, her cat is missing.”
“Her...cat?”
“Yeah. The little black one. One of the firemen pulled it out of the wreckage. The poor thing had burns over its legs but it ran off before anybody could take it to the vet.”
I swallowed a gulp and thanked him for telling me.
And now I’m still sitting here listening while nurses rush back and forth, terrified any one of them might be Gertrude…

So i started training around 9 months ago, first 7 months worked wonderful for me with all the noob gains and stuff, i looked like a complete different person from before i started working out, but these past 2 months i had to do a surgery and couldnt train at all. My scale says i only weigh about 2kg more, but i feel i have more body fat now and less muscle. How long should i expect to be looking the way i did before surgery?

Gusto ko lang sana magkwento. Pagbigyan niyo na ako. Hahahaha
I'm single for six years. Naisip ko it's time to put myself out there. I created a Bumble account last April. Tapos may naka-match ako. Everything went great. Di siya yung usual type ko pero I enjoyed talking to her. We have an 8 year gap. Older ako. We clicked just talking for one night. Then, I impulsively deleted my account thinking it wasn't working for me as an old fashioned person. Days went by pero naiisip ko pa rin siya. So I looked for her. Found her IG account. She said she was impressed that I managed to find her. We continued talking there. I developed feelings for her as a marupok person. Said I like her because that's how I feel. She said she feels the same way and that she's attracted to me a lot, but she also said that we should not get ahead of ourselves since kakakilala lang to which I agreed. It was going swell. Madami kami napag-usapan sa first couple of days. Then dumalang na mga replies niya.
Last weekend we agreed to meet. It was my first time in six years to meet someone I'm interested to, so sobrang kabado ako di ko alam gagawin. I drove all the way from a nearby province to QC. Biglaang meetup lang yon tapos inuman yung setting. Di ako nakapagpractice ng sasabihin so siya nagbuhat ng usapan. I even liked her more nung nagkita na kami. Para na ako na-fa-fall. HAHAHAH sorry tanga. Pero napansin ko lang na she was using her phone most of the time. It's something I wouldn't do if I was with someone, but I totally understood na she's very busy and naisingit niya lang yung meetup namin na 1 hour. We had one beer each. She said din na naka-snooze mode daw Bumble account niya. I asked her if I was doing fine, and she said she would have left early if hindi niya raw gusto yung vibe so I guess I was doing good? Hindi talaga ako sanay sa ganito pero inisip ko na lang na siguro ganito na yung dating scene. We took photos sa photobooth as a remembrance. I honestly cherish it because I really really like her na. As soon as I went home, I messaged her saying I enjoyed her company and thanked her.
We continued talking sa IG the week after meeting up, although madalang pa rin siya magreply. She said she can't wait to see me again. So I had hopes na we still like each other. The only issue I see in our communication is yung replies ko matagal niya makita and mareply-an so nawawala yung momentum ng usapan. I usually reply in minutes. She replies in hours. Na-bring up niya na she feels bad na she should reciprocate the same energy na binigay ko whenever I say sweet things to her. She said na she kinda had to take a few steps back because she haven't gotten into terms as to what she wants exactly. She also said na I seem to be in it for the long run and she's not really sure if she is. Yung moment na yan bigla akong nahilo umikot paningin ko tapos may kirot akong naramdaman. Hahahaha. Na she gets easily overwhelmed daw. So I think yun yung reason kung bakit madalang siya magreply na. I tried to be cool about it and understand how she felt despite being shattered into pieces.
Her last chat to me was on Wednesday. I replied yesterday because I had to back up and think things through din since I was so deep in it. I really want this to work so I am being careful, but it seems I already messed it up. I cried almost every day kaka-overthink and pre-occupied sa work. I created another Bumble account hoping to get my mind off the situation (as suggested din ng friends ko), and then I found her again na active. I messaged her on IG today apologizing for replying so late and explained my thoughts. I also said na sana ma-remove yung awkwardness and sana gusto pa niya ako kausap.
Is it over na ba? Di na ba niya ako gusto? Ghosted na ba ako? Oo, gusto ko itanong sa kanya yan lahat pero di ganun kadali lalo na yung latest conversation namin was quite serious. Siguro masyado lang akong soft para sa ganito. Everything is so fast pala sa dating game ngayon. Kung nababasa niya ito: Hello, I hope you don't mind getting this off my chest. I like you a lot and you already know that.
P.S. sa mga magcocomment, please be kind po heheh masyado akong malambot.

Hi there, this will be a bit long. I appreciate you reading it all lol :)
What I’m Looking For:
I’m looking for someone to make a connection with, and hopefully become something serious and last forever :) I want someone I can give all of me to and share my life with. I can talk to you about anything, and just fully be myself with and don’t have to hold anything back. Someone I can share my deepest thoughts with, and most unhinged parts XD. And they also share with me all of them. I’ve always dreamed of being fully known and understood by someone. Someone loving me for all of me, and loving someone for all of them. I have a world of love to give and want someone I can shower in it. I’m a hopeless romantic, after everything I’ve been through I still choose to believe true love is real and I’ll have it one day.
I want something that will truly last forever through anything. “Ride or die” is such a cringe term to me lol, but that’s what I’m really looking for. I have an unshakable loyalty when I’m committed to someone. My love is almost unconditional when I’m locked in.
Only message if you’re sure looking for something serious.
Do not message me if you ever ghost people If you’re not feeling it I would appreciate you telling me.
A little bit about me.
I’m a INTJ 5w4, and personality wise, I’m like 2 different people lol. Emotional and logical. I can be really sweet and wholesome. Supportive, the kind of person that will always be there for you. I’m also extremely affectionate both physically and with words. I’ll always talk about how much you mean to me :) But I also can be a quite overly logical jerk lol. Best of both worlds I guess. When I’m comfortable I can be really goofy and loud, and give crackhead energy, but in the beginning I’m really quiet and reserved. I try to be positive and nonjudgmental, while also being very strongly opinionated XD.
I also can be pretty dark. I have a good mixture of being wholesome and dark lol. It’s weird
I’m a contradiction but I love that about myself. You shouldn’t message me if you’re easily scared away, I am a pretty eccentric person generally lol I can ramble about weird/random stuff, and be pretty extra sometimes. I can talk in a kind of unfiltered way. I don’t want to have to hold those things back lmao.
Important tidbits. * I have a fear of abandonment and anxious attachment style. * I am obsessive and clingy when I fall for someone. (Not in a crazy way) lol * I am left leaning on most things. * Strictly Monogamous * Agnostic atheist. * I have BPD, we can talk about what that entails * In college for accounting * I have a pretty dark humor XD
Looks wise: I’m black, 5’2, very masc presenting, I have a short haircut and dress masc. I am def plus size, but definitely not like huge lol and currently losing weight as well :)
Interests: Gaming, true crime docs, horrothriller movies, I love all kinds of music. Particularly R&B, rock/metal, and Kpop though XD. I watch a lot of YouTube and tiktok. Working out/going to the gym, as I’ve recently started a new fitness journey. I’m kind of huge homebody tbh, wanting to get out more and have new experiences.
Who I’m Looking For:
Looks don’t matter much to me. You can be fem or masc.
Personality wise: I like a lot of different personalities. Some important traits though would be having emotional intelligence, Someone patient and caring. Also having a good logical side is very very important to me. As I said above I’m pretty affectionate and clingy so I’d match best with someone also like that lol. You can be introverted or extroverted. But too extroverted won’t be a match.
Age 22 to 40. I am from Chicago in the US, but I would love to talk to women from anywhere. I’m open to relocate anywhere gay marriage is legal lol
Thank you for reading all of this. If you’re interested please message me a little about you. :)

Was on unemployment for 6 months after I got laid off from my previous job of 6 years due to lack of business. Anyways about a month ago I got a job as an insurance agent and sometimes I feel overwhelmed by trying to figure out how all the different carriers programs work. On top of that I have had to deal with a few unpleasant customers who typically get frustrated because of how long it takes me to get things done especially since I still need to ask for assistance and have to wait for said assistance because they are taking care of their own customers which frustrates me even further because it only adds to the pressure I'm already feeling. Somedays I just feel like throwing the phone across the room or just getting up and walking out. I really enjoyed my last job it was a small number of employees and I didn't have to deal with customers and I didn't have someone breathing down my neck. Whereas in sales it's the complete opposite I have to deal with people which I loathe, theres sales goals and I have to actively try to meet them. I spent about a whole month to even find a job (I was enjoying the previous 5 months of unemployment) and I have bills to pay should I just suck it up and stop complaining? Can anybody relate? If so did things get better for you? I'm a really laid back person and enjoy my peace so I got lucky finding that last job because it was a small company but I don't know to many work environments that are like that.

I grew up without parents and a lot of confusion, and it took me a while, but I'm in a good space emotionally. I have a decent job, and good friends. I'm content.
But I've never really made any long-term plans before. I think I've always been in survival mode, and now that I don't have to be, I genuinely don't know where to start with building a whole life. Suddenly it seems possible that I could have my own home, and hopefully my own family, and maybe I can even aim higher at work, and learn music.
I don't think I truly understand the world. I don't have an opinion on the state of the economy. I'm learning more and more each day. But I'm 32, and I want to figure out all the life skills I've missed out on sooner rather than later because I'm eager to join the world.
What are some skills that I should learn to be financially and physically more responsible so I can someday provide for my family? How does one plan for retirement?

The title is pretty much the point. This is the first job I've had in China after several years away back in the United States. I applied for a visa, got issued my entry permit, arrived in Beijing and went to the PSB for the proper work visa. They gave me the little yellow paper that you get when they take your passport.
Then a day before the pickup was supposed to happen the PSB called and told me they were "still working on it" and they would let me know when I could come pick it up. It has been over a week since the original pickup date and frankly I'm starting to get a little worried. I've tried calling but when I do they just tell me to keep waiting and provide no other information.
Has anyone ever just had their passport held for extra time? If so how long did you end up waiting?

Has anyone, who like me, does not qualify for FMLA yet, had success with filing for ADA accommodations? I haven’t worked at my job long enough yet to qualify for FMLA coverage. I would be grateful to hear about your ADA experience. I work a hard labor job, how do I convince my job to let me have the time off to recover from surgery without losing my job? Thank you

I wish I’d researched how the portal handles mixing cabin classes.
Every year (besides normal work or vacation travel), I visit family in SE Asia. After taking every airline combo possible for years to save money I finally reached the point where I could afford to take Singapore Airlines. The long haul flight from New York is that much more bearable when the service is so good.
I figured I had might as well benefit from this by always booking the flight on a good travel card. Unfortunately, when booking through C1 the myriad options for mixing cabin classes between Economy, Premium and Business are just not there, at least for SA. All the lovely options for customizing say, the return flight with an upgrade, don’t show up, nor are some cabin classes an option for even round trip flights that are available at the SA website. Calling customer service confirmed this. You get what you get.
Is the best solution to book the base flight at C1 and then try to upgrade a leg via SA? I don’t love how complicated this makes what used to be a simple trip to plan, on top of the uncertainty of how well I’d be accommodated by SA if a trip booked by a third party went wrong.

Throwaway because wife is on reddit.
tldr: how do I change so that I only put the same effort into the relationship that my wife does?
My wife and I have been together for 26 years, married for 23. We have 4 kids teenage to adult. I'm coming to the realization that my wife doesn't really like me. I know she loves me, but it seems like I'm the last thing on her list most of the time. I on the other hand, can't stop thinking about her and ways to make her life easier or more enjoyable. I feel like somewhere along the line something changed and now I'm more of a chore to her than anything else. I try not to be too sensitive or read too much into things, but it's pretty hard not to pick up on the clues.
A few examples: sexy time, while it still happens, is only when I initiate. And when I do, it's pretty much the standard pillow princess kind of deal. I try to do all of the things she likes and In return, I get nothing. We've had conversations about the things I like, like lingerie, but I never get that. If she's on her period, she never offers to do anything, it's just quit for a week. She doesn't ever have to do anything of course, I would just think that she would want to? At least sometimes? If for no other reason than it would make me happy.
She also has become quite addicted to social media. She spends most of her time scrolling facebook and Instagram. Its the first thing she does when she wakes up (spends 30-45 minutes scrolling, before even getting out of bed). I can be laying right next to her the whole time, and not so much as a hello. It's the only thing she does anymore after she gets home from work. No other hobbies or interests. They've all dropped off along the way. If I say anything about it she gets very defensive and I drop it.
Her eyes light up and she gets pretty happy to talk to all the kids, which is awesome, I just wish I had the same effect. If I didn't actively engage her in conversation, we could go all day or longer without talking. She pretty much has 0 interest in anything I like. As a matter of fact, as soon as I get into something that she might like, it very quickly turns into something she doesn't. If I do stop talking to her, then I'm the one being moody and grumpy, which just gives her more reason to not want to interact with me.
I've tried to talk to her about these things, and she sometimes makes me think I might have gotten through to her, but nothing ever changes. That just hurts worse because I get my hopes up thinking I might have finally had a breakthrough, only to see nothing change.
I'm not perfect. I know I have my flaws and faults, but she genuinely is the most important thing to me, and I just want to feel like I'm getting that in return. I doubt she's cheating and divorce is off the table, so how do I go through the rest of my life caring a bit less and change that power dynamic so that I don't feel like we have an 80-20 relationship?
Sorry for the long post. I even left out a bunch of things. I'll answer any questions and provide more details if people need them.

So i got a question, my brothers car is missing from a parking lot, we believe it was towed. The car in question is not working, it doesn’t start, so that excludes stealing it. We don’t know how long it has been gone for, because he parked it a couple months ago, then came back to Poland, and when he went to check the car, it was gone. Do any of y’all know how much would it cost to get the car back from a police parking lot, if it’s even there?

My partner and I are looking at purchasing property in Karuizawa to build a home where we can raise our family in the long term. As neither of us want to significantly reduce our investment holdings to pay for the property and construction, we believe getting a loan will be the best mid-to-long-term option. We have been exploring all sorts of options and have seen a few banks, such as Aeon Financial and Hachijuni Bank, offering large (up to 200 million JPY) loans for this purpose at low-ish rates (0.75~1.3%). Also, we understand that a Flat-35 loan can also be used for a vacation home purchase, so that possibility exists too, though the amount that can be borrowed seems to be much lower. Is there anyone out there with a similar loan that could shed some light onto the process, whether it was difficult to meet your own expectations, and how you made out after everything was prepared?
Long term the idea is to move out of our place in Tokyo and live in Karuizawa full-time, thankfully we both have jobs that allow remote work with visits to Tokyo a couple times a week. But we don’t want to sell our current Tokyo place, because it is pretty nice and we have confidence in its long-term prospects as population continues to rise in the city here. We will probably still use it for the short term and then have to decide what to do with it.
We are aware land prices in Karuizawa are kind of crazy compared to even just a few years ago, and construction costs are still going up. We don’t really see either trend reversing soon, but would really appreciate any differing viewpoints on that as well. Thank you!

I started texting a girl on Tinder . We began talking every day, and our conversations were always very deep. She took a deep interest in my life, which initially made me uncomfortable after a while because she was texting me as if I were her boyfriend. If I told her I had a important meeting so I will be busy tomorrow , be sure she remembered and texted me straight after to ask how it went . She would constantly remind me of how confortable/loved talking to me. She even would bring up marriage and kids which weirded me out and as I had mentioned it made me uncomfortable. I never really engaged in it as I never met her, it was weird and off-putting but I went with the flow and eventually warmed up to it. We would end up texting daily from morning until we went to sleep. This went on since february. I asked her out, and she said she couldn't wait to meet me but couldn't due to breaking her leg and being bed-bound at her parents'. A week before she could walk again and would move back to her place, I had to fly abroad to take care of a property I had. I did not have a time frame but knew I would be 2-3 weeks gone. I managed to sort my business quickly and texted her, saying I have nothing left to do so I might fly back early as I could not wait to get back to take her out on a date. I'm not naive and knew after the date it may never lead anywhere, but after dedicating hours and hours every day to talk to each other, and her expressing how she couldn't stop thinking of me and that she liked me, I had optimistic feelings about it. Her response was not what I expected, and it was along the lines of "don't fly back just to go on a date with me." I'm not sure if I took that the wrong way, but I was tired of being pen pals and wanted to take a risk and have a bit of adventure. Just to make it clear, I have family and a home not far from her anyway. Things got a bit weird after, but we eventually continued to talk like nothing happened. She eventually would get more distant but still initiate conversation to ask how my day was going, etc. I arrived back in the country and told her, "Let's go out; being pen pals has to end." She agreed but sent me a screenshot of her schedule (she had weddings and commitments, and I know she works a very stressful corporate job), which made it impossible to meet up. I said, "Once you finish up with everything, let me take you somewhere special for a date" (I noted her favorite restaurants as she would tell me). Her reply was, "A drink will be fine." I asked her later on if she was still eager, as she expressed her eagerness previously to go on a date. She said yes but followed it with, "Do we have to have this conversation every time I'm busy?" I thought that was cold, but I understand people can have stress, etc. We talked for a few more days, but her replies took longer and longer, so I just left her. Then I decided to text to ask how the wedding was after not speaking for a few days, and she ignored me for 24 hours and wrote: "Hey, the wedding was good. I'm so sorry; I'm just not in a good place right now. I feel overwhelmed. I need space. I hope you understand." I responded with: "I hope you feel better. I fully understand you need space right now. Take the time you need, and I'll be here when you're ready to talk. No pressure. Take it easy." Now, in my mind, she was not interested. "Needs space" means "bye!" But then I get an immediate kind of flirty response: "Thank you so much, big spoon."
What do I make of this? Do I text back? Is there a chance she might still be interested in going on a date? It's been two weeks and a few days. I know we never had a relationship, never met, etc., but I can't help but feel we really connected when we talked. I just don't like the idea that talking since February was a massive waste of time. She does not owe me anything, I understand that but it won't leave my mind and I weirdly feel depressed about the whole situation.
Sorry in advance for this being so long .

I have an offer for MSc in China and Globalisation from the KCL School of Global Affairs Lau China Institute. I also have a similar offer from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore for the MSS in China and Global Governance.
I’m tore between the two offers and would like to seek some candid views from fellow redditors. Here are my considerations:
I’m from Singapore and going overseas to study sounds exciting. But I’ve never been to London in my life so I’m not sure if I could adapt well for the next year. While I’m sure I will enjoy the cooler weather, I’ve always been a sunshine person. Honestly, how gloomy is the weather in London? (Bare in mind that I grew up on the tropics for the last 3 decades)
How hard is studying or working on a research paper in London (and this specific course)? I got my Bachelor degree almost 10 years ago and I’m kind of worried about having to write a dissertation again even though it is a postgrad taught program. (Frankly, I feel old and lazy.) It is not compulsory for the NTU course. On a side note, I was also offered a similar course in NYU. I applied because my understanding was that US universities were less academic. Alas I had to lapse that offer due to the ongoing school protests. ):
Next, how dangerous is London right now? I’ve seen videos of protests happening in the UK. While I haven’t actually come across one from KCL, it kind of worries me. I’m not sure if it would escalate to the state of the US. Additionally, Singapore is a highly safe country. I can walk along the streets as a single female at midnight and expect myself to be home safely. How would this compare with London?
I guess lastly, it would be great if I could have some insights into the accommodation situation at KCL. I’m considering either the en-suites or studio units offered by the school. I’d be more comfortable with studio though. However the rent is pretty steep. Are the prices comparable in the open market? And what should I be expecting to adjust with if I were to take an en-suite unit instead. I currently stay with my partner in a small apartment in Singapore.
Other smaller considerations are these:
My partner would not be heading to London with me so we’d be apart for a year. This sucks a little.
My parents are worried about my safety and security in London. Hence the question above.
Money is not a major issue. I’d be sponsored partially but of course the less I pay the more I’d save.
Thanks in advance for going through this long post and I appreciate any views at all!

Hey everyone! 👋 I'm RBS, a self-improvement coach, and I've got something special to offer you, absolutely free—no strings attached.
But before I dive into that, let me share a little secret with you. Just a year ago, my life was pretty tough. Every day seemed clouded with negative thoughts, and my relationships, both with myself and others, were strained. Feeling alone and worthless was my norm, and I settled for less because I couldn't believe I deserved any better. It felt like a hopeless cycle.
I was constantly worried that no matter how hard I tried, I'd never measure up. This fear kept me tossing and turning at night. I tried improving myself, but it felt like I was stuck in an uphill battle with no end in sight. I started questioning if all the effort was even worth it. At times, it seemed like my fate was sealed by what I was born with—like success was reserved for the naturally gifted.
But then, something incredible happened about a year ago. Thanks to the grace of Allah (God), my life took a turn. Now, I chase my dreams with an unparalleled drive, exuding confidence and energy like never before! Today, I'm happier and more accomplished than I ever thought possible.
So, what changed in that year? It was surprisingly simple... I stumbled across my mentor.
But why a mentor, you might ask? Having a mentor was a game-changer for me. It wasn't just about getting directions; my mentor provided priceless feedback, drawing from his own life experiences. He has been through it all and knows what worked. When things got tough, he was there to give me that extra push and remind me of my potential.
So, if you're feeling stuck, consider seeking guidance from a mentor. Someone who's been in your shoes and can help you navigate the path ahead. That's why I'm passionate about mentoring others for free!
As a self-improvement coach, I'm dedicated to helping young men transform their lives and become the best versions of themselves. I draw from various sources like books, podcasts, studies, philosophy, and personal research.

What You Will Unlock🔓:

1. *🧔🏻 Boost Your Masculinity: *Walk into any room with your head held high, feeling a surge of confidence and strength that makes navigating the world effortless.
2. 🥅 Achieve Your Dreams: Imagine crossing the finish line of your biggest goal, feeling the thrill of turning your aspirations into reality, and living the life you want.
3. 🧘 Embrace Better Habits: Feel happier and healthier as you leave behind what holds you back and step into a brighter, more fulfilling future.
4. 💪 Improve Your Looks: Imagine people nodding in approval as you walk by, feeling confident and catching everyone's eye with your undeniable charm.
5. *🧘🏼 Manage Stress, Overthinking, and Other Mental Problems: *Feel peaceful and strong inside, helping you handle life's ups and downs with ease and calmness.
6. 🎯 Conquer Obstacles: Develop the strength and determination to overcome challenges and achieve your goals, like a resilient mountain climber scaling peaks in the face of adversity.
7. ⌛ Achieve More with Less Effort: Boost your productivity and efficiency, like a swift arrow hitting its target with precision, allowing you to invest time and energy in what truly brings you joy.
8. 📅 Establish Routines: Experience the sense of stability and control that comes from establishing healthy habits and routines that support your well-being and success.
9. 💸 Financial and Business Ideas: Experience the joy of being in control of your finances and running successful businesses, as you learn to manage your money wisely and explore profitable opportunities.
10. 🎙️ Master Communication and Social Skills: Take pride in being known as "that guy" among your friends, as they rave about your outgoing personality and the meaningful bonds you create, earning you the reputation of a true friend and a genuine charmer.
11. 🛣️ Finding Your Purpose: Uncover the deep meaning in life and your core values, where everything falls into place and makes sense for you.

I keep it simple. No complex strategies, just straightforward guidance to elevate your life. In just a month, I've already had 4 people book sessions with me. Testimonials are available on my profile page.
It's a month-long commitment, with the option to cancel if you don't see results after 2 weeks. Sessions are 45 minutes, twice a week, or an hour once a week if you prefer. And if you're not satisfied after the initial call, you can cancel with no further obligation. You've got nothing to lose and everything to gain—so why not give it a shot?
It's time to take the next step. Just send me a DM, and I'll provide all the details you need. Imagine sitting at the family dinner table, radiating confidence and success. Your family members might glance at you with envy, noticing how manly and prosperous you've become.
Let's schedule a call to begin turning those dreams into reality. It's easy. Don't let your fear win. Conquer your fear, and take the first step by sending me a DM now!
Note: While coaching can be immensely helpful, it's essential to prioritize your health. If you're dealing with severe depression, chronic pain, or any other challenges, don't hesitate to seek medical support.