As some background, I'm currently a mid-level in-house attorney for a small/mid-sized company. While work can be hectic and boring, I really enjoy working with my team and my boss has been an absolute champ. He's been great with work/life balance and has really pushed for me to get some raises, title bumps, etc. That being said, the pay is still a little on the lower end, but I do think there's some space for that to grow... it's just not quite market yet.
I recently got approached by a recruiter and received an offer to work at a family office where I'd see a sizeable pay bump of 30% (still under $200k) to perform backend corporate governance with the plan being I'd build up my tax and trusts background throughout my career there. Due to the size of the office, I'm likely not going to see much movement upwards, but I'm not particularly tied down to titles as I am to salary and workplace happiness....
I wanted to see if I could pick anyone's brain here on the following:

1. Would jumping to a family office completely change my career path and close the door on in-house corporate positions with other companies?
2. If I ever decided to leave this family office, is the market robust enough for me to find another landing spot? Everything I've been reading seems to indicate (1) family office positions are hard to come by, but (2) family office positions are growing due to the Archegos scandal.
3. Am I an idiot to leave a job where I love my team? Trading it in to go to a team that I'm not 100% sure of, performing work I have no experience in, and somehow get paid more money working for a UHNW (semi-well known) family?

I got raped 2 years ago waiting for my uber after work , I was working in a fancy cocktail bar downtown and had jus gotten a promotion as bar manager ,we were having drinks to celebrate the end of a busy evening plus i just got promoted to manager of the whole bar , was so happy and so drunk , so i decided to call an uber to get home . My girlfriends offered to drop me off home but i declined knowing they live opposite end of town , I decided to walk out of the bar towards the intercection where my uber would have been , all of a sudden i hear tyres screeching on the road , a purple van nearly runs me over and 4 guys hop out , grab me violently toss me at the back of the van . I was blindfolded and they wrapped a dirty scarf round my mouth to silence me. Drove me to the ocean , parked the car and they proceeded to take turns ar raping me for the next 4 hours . Im still shaken thinking about it , i dont mind taking about it in dms . My name is Hollie and im in my early 20's .

Kept putting off buying tickets for the lantern festival at the john ball zoo. If anyone has 4 tickets for sale that would be super great and I would be oh so very happy. Let me know!

I couldn’t do it; lovely parents, siblings, friends (if I make an effort at my pastime - I pulled away).
I just punched myself really hard in my neck- just out of frustration. I normally hold a knife to my neck/ stomach; can’t do it pain and above reasons. Give me some comfort that if I had a kitchen knife I’ll be bleeding out for a long sleep (feels like existence is the horrible and twisted joke; had episodes before but managed to make it to 33); I’m amazed humans have come this far; maybe I’m a mistake or self conscious but definitely should not have existed - at the very least, society should have an opt out button for everyone - judgement free.
Struggling to finish a corrections on my PHD - swamped with thoughts of taking so long to get here (7.5 years instead of 4) then I only can see struggle after struggle. Think I’m completely burned out. I just stare at my screen all day and die inside.
And I know I’m not wrong because even the religious/normal or happy people say life is a struggle.
Just being grateful because I have so so much; physical health, etc…. (Not being sarcastic) - the fact that I am “blessed” makes it even worse; that I have wasted it all and will never be able to repay my parents.
I’m going to fight; every second from tmrw morning to have a productive day! Being consumed with work is awesome as I feel like I achieve something and hope to keep this up as long as I can.
Those who actually commit suicide; I have nothing but pity and compassion for you and hope there will just be eternal peace afterwards.
Irony is I’m angry for being born but could never hate my parents because they have nothing but my best interest at hand. Sigh - I could never have children though; don’t know how humans reproduce knowing what life is - messed up to me and sad that I can’t see the work in such a way others see it as life being a blessing.
At my ropes end but going to hold on: I’m trying God and all the tools (positive affirmations etc.) but all seems like a downhill battle.
I need a miracle God! and I’m trying to be positive. God is love but I’m really angry for being here.
Sigh - life could always be much worse, so I’m grateful for what I have. Gratefulness doesn’t transfer into anything and just being a “good person” will not pay the bills.
I fantasie about being hit by a meteorite or stray bullet or some natural disaster wiping me out. Lol - in the early days I begged to COVID to kill me; didn’t happen. Delude myself by listening to end day prophecies in the hope that it’s the end of the world.
I could do this, I have all that I need to succeed! I’ll try again - maybe things will work out and I can just live a simple life where I’m there for those around me and live off seeing them happy.
Sigh - hyping myself up; can’t force myself to sleep anymore, and nothing to distract myself on Metflix etc. it’s perfect so I hope I can just dive into work.
I’m desperate - please pray for me (I believe in God by there’s that annoying few % in me that can’t for so many reasons- feel like a strong faith could really help me but can’t lie to myself - lol - feel like God will know I’m being dishonest).
Still - pray that I may be productive to help myself and in turn help others; don’t want to be a burden on society.
I’m not a victim even though I’m writing this long rant. Just don’t know anymore and felt like sharing.

It has been my privilege this year to learn about the dynamic Mina Miller Edison. Especially as a role model for aspiring young women just starting a career. Currently as a college senior as well as with my position as a social media intern, studying the life of Mina Miller Edison provided a positive impression and strong impact on me.
Mina Miller Edison lived an incredibly inspiring life. She thrived in numerous aspects. Especially since she played many roles throughout her impressive lifespan. Highly educated, confident, ambitious and determined represent the characteristics that describe Mina.
She displayed a deep committed to her family. This includes being the loving wife to inventor, entrepreneur and American icon Thomas Edison. She was also a loving and dedicated mother.
In addition, Mina demonstrated a strong passion for her community with the endless organizations that she contributed a tremendous amount of time and energy.
Mina was born into an entrepreneurial family on July 6, 1865. As the Miller family continued to grow, Mina was the seventh of eleven children born to inventor Lewis Miller and Mary Alexander. Her parents had a love for education. Mina attended and graduated from Akron High School in Ohio. After high school, she went on to study at a home and day school in Boston.

Mina’s Father the Inventor and Founder

Mina Miller Edison was born into a family that was used to being in the spotlight. Lewis Miller was a successful inventor. He also became one of the founders of Chautauqua Institution. The Miller family spent summers in their home along Chautauqua Lake. Her families love for Chautauqua was passed down to Mina. Therefore, when she had a family of her own she brought them to her family home at Chautauqua Institition.

Mina’s father and husband both had a passion for inventing. However, what they chose to invent was different from one another. While Thomas concentrated on technology and electronics, Lewis focused on farm equipment. They shared the common goal of making life easier with their inventions.

Chautauqua Institution

Chautauqua Institution sets on the shores of beautiful Chautauqua Lake in southwestern New York State. The Institution was originally called the Chautauqua Lake Sunday School Assembly. It was founded in 1874 as an educational experiment in out-of-school, vacation learning by industrialist Lewis Miller and Methodist Bishop John Heyl Vincent. Hence, a place where spirituality meets continuing education.
“The original scheme was a Christian educational resort . . . [where] pleasure, science, and all friends of true culture should go side by side with true religion.”

Chautauqua Institution

We call Chautauqua County home which is also the birthplace of the National Historic Landmark, Chautauqua Institution. Chautauqua Institution is a 750-acre community on Chautauqua Lake that attracts 100,000 visitors each summer who explore spirituality, philosophy, cultural vitality and the arts.
President Theodore Roosevelt once called Chautauqua Institution: “the most American thing in America“.
The mission of Chautauqua Institution (or as locals call it, CHQ):

CHQ is dedicated to the exploration of the best in human values and the enrichment of life through a program that explores the important religious, social and political issues of our times; stimulates provocative, thoughtful involvement of individuals and families in creative response to such issues; and promotes excellence and creativity in the appreciation, performance and teaching of the arts. Each summer season celebrates four program areas: The Arts, Religion, Education and Recreation. A summer at Chautauqua is loaded with lectures, concerts, religious services and as well as amazing displays of literary and performing arts. Chautauqua Institution attracts world-class talent that performs ballet, theater, opera, symphony and dance. Click here to check out this season’s exciting events.

The Multiple Achievements of Mina Miller

Marriage to Thomas Edison

When Mina Miller met Thomas Edison, she was promised to her gentleman suitor, George Vincent, the son of Bishop Vincent. Edison learned that Mina would be staying the summer at Chautauqua, he arranged to spend time there to win her and meet her family. Thomas Edison’s hearing was badly compromised by this time from when he was a child so he taught Mina to send and receive Morse code. That summer, he used it to ask her to marry him. He tapped “Will you Marry Me?” on Mina’s hand, and she said “Yes.”
The next step was getting permission from Mina’s Father Lewis, to which Thomas wrote this:
“I trust you will not accuse me of egotism when I say that my life and history and standing are so well known as to call for no statement concerning myself. My reputation is so far made that I recognize I must be judged by it for good or ill. I need only add in conclusion that the step I have taken in asking your daughter to entrust her happiness into my keeping has been the result of mature deliberation, and with the full appreciation of the responsibility and the duty I have undertaken to fulfill. I do not deny that your answer will seriously affect my happiness, and I trust my suit will meet with your approval.”
This letter won the approval of Mr. Miller. The date for the wedding was set for February 24, 1886, hardly more than a year after they met. She was only 20 years old. Oak Place, the Miller home in Akron, was to be the site of the wedding. Father Miller and his Mary Valinda spared no expense in seeing that the nuptials were an occasion to be remembered.

Managing a Home Full of Staff and Children

When Mina and Thomas Edison got married she was much younger then her husband. She became the stepmother to his three children. Still being young herself she was not fully ready for motherhood. However, Mina Miller Edison took charge of the household. Often times Thomas was not around due to his work. This left Mina in charge of hiring the house staff as well as raising the children. Furthermore, she gave herself the title of “home executive”. Mina also held ownership of Glenmont. The home she shared with Thomas. Owning and managing her own home was the first of many successes for Mina.

Children of Her Own

Two years after their marriage Mina and Thomas added to their family with their first child, Madeleine. This started the same pattern of children Thomas had with his first wife. Their daughter was soon followed by two sons, Charles and Theodore.

Madeleine Edison

Madeleine was born on May 31st, 1888, the first child born to Mina. She was born in Glenmont, the Edison Family home in New Jersey. Madeleine married John Eyre Sloane. She married him in the Drawing Room at Glenmont on June 17, 1914. Madeleine and John had four sons, who happened to be Thomas Edison’s only grandchildren from either marriage.
Madeleine briefly ran for Congress in 1938, she sadly lost. During World War II she gave much of her time to blood drives for the New Jersey Red Cross. She also administered the Edison Birthplace in Milan, Ohio after her mother’s death. She died on February 14, 1979.

Charles Edison

Charles Edison was born into the Edison Family at the Glenmont on August 3, 1890. He married Carolyn Hawkins, whom he had met in 1912 then married on March 27, 1918. Finally, he became president of his father’s company, Thomas A. Edison, Incorporated, in 1927. He ran the company until it was sold in 1959.
Charles is the best known because of his second career, in public service. In the mid-1930s he served in the cabinet of President Franklin Roosevelt. First as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, then as Acting Secretary. New Jersey voters elected him as their governor in 1940. He also founded a charitable foundation that now bears his name, the Charles Edison Fund. He died on July 31, 1969

Theodore Miller Edison

Theodore Miller Edison was the last to be born at Glenmont on July 10, 1898. He attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, from which he earned his physics degree in 1923. He was the only member of the Edison family to graduate from college.
Theodore did work for his father’s company after graduation. After starting as an ordinary lab assistant, he worked his way up to technical director of research and engineering for Thomas A. Edison, Inc. He eventually founded his own company, Calibron Industries, Inc. Also, he built his own smaller laboratory in West Orange. Theodore earned over 80 patents in his career. In 1925 he married Anna Maria Osterhout, a graduate of Vassar. He became an ardent environmentalist. Theodore lived in West Orange with his wife Anna until his death on November 24, 1992.

Mina’s Step-Children

With the marriage between Thomas and Mina, she took on his three children from the first marriage. Marion, twelve years old, Thomas, Jr. ten years old, and William Leslie eight years old. She continued to struggle with her relationship with her stepdaughter. Mina’s stepchildren did not take education as seriously as she did. They believed that Edison’s fame could make their future for them. Finally, due to this belief, Mina’s stepchildren went on to live less acclaimed lives as the other Edison children.

Marion Estelle Edison

Marion was the first born of Thomas Edison’s children. She was born on February 18, 1873, and gained the nickname “Dot” as a child after Morse Code. In 1895 she married Karl Oscar Oeser, a German army lieutenant. They lived in Germany through the First World War. Unfortunately, her marriage ended in divorce in 1921. Finally, she then returned to the United States, where she died on April 16, 1965.

Thomas Alva Edison Jr

Thomas Alva, Junior, was born on January 10, 1876. He had the nickname “Dash” after Morse Code like his sister. He went on to marry stage actress Marie Louise Toohey in 1899. However, the marriage ended within a year. He next married Beatrice Heyzer. Thomas Jr sold the use of his name to advertise “quack” medicines and dubious inventions. His father disapproved of this and eventually asked him to change his name. Thomas Jr. briefly went by the name of Thomas Willard. His efforts at inventing and starting a mushroom farm failed. Finally, he died on August 25, 1935.

William Leslie Edison

William Leslie was born on October 26, 1878. He went to school at St. Paul’s School, Concord, New Hampshire. Then also attended J.M.Hawkins School on Staten Island. He later studied at the Sheffield scientific school at Yale. William soon married Blanche Travers. William Edison served in the military during the Spanish-American War in 1898. He also served again in the First World War. Like his brother he turned to farm life, breeding chickens. Finally, he died on August 10, 1937.

Chautauqua Institute and Mina’s Influence

Mina’s father’s love for Chautauqua was passed down to his daughter. Mina dedicated herself to many organizations locally. She supported many land and wildlife conservation. Often times Mina would donate her own funds to projects for Chautauqua. Mina became a trustee of the institute. Others involved in Chautauqua held Mina in high regards. Also much like her father, Mina continued her involvement with her beloved Institute until her passing in 1947.
Mina was active in many different organizations and clubs including:

• The American Red Cross
• The Chautauqua Association
• West Orange Community League (President From 1912-1919)
• National Audubon Society
• Chautauqua Bird and Tree Club
• The John Burroughs Association
• The Daughters of the American Revolution
• The School Garden Association of America

The Thomas Alva Edison Foundation

After Thomas Edison passed away, Mina started The Thomas Alva Edison Foundation in his memory. The foundation combined both Thomas’s and Mina’s passions. Mina’s love for education and Thomas’s love for science. However, later on, the nature of the foundation changed. It was no longer dedicated to advancements in science and education. Finally, it became a foundation aimed at preserving Thomas Edison’s name and accomplishments

Wrapping It Up

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There has been much discussion of the level of comedy in S1 over the past year, due to many finding S2 and S3 not funny at all. The thought is that S1 was hilarious and thus we have been lied to or let down by S2 and S3.
After rewatching the first two episodes of S1, I have to double down and disagree with that take. S1 has some funny moments so far, noticeably Jamie poking fun at Roy. But the rest I don't find funny but rather just easy. Lovely. Delightful. It's a stroll through the park. For those that are upset, I don't think that we are let down by a show that stopped being funny. I think we are disappointed because we thought that we had something that we could rely on to give us something easy when everything else in the world can be chaotic and that thing decided to mimic life and present the chaos and try to wade through it. We didn't want to learn with others in their tough moments; we just wanted to avoid tough moments for exactly half an hour.
As I say, on rewatch, I am not surprised to find that it was funnier than I thought. Rather, I am surprised at just how much the signs that this would get serious were clear right from the start. Ted has ringing in his ears and a tremor in his hand that he just can't shake. It was never going to be a network sitcom. We just missed the signs.
(My own mindset while watching: I, too, thought that this was a fun and lighthearted comedy during the first season. I have no idea to what extent I realized at the time (by end of episode 2) that this would get serious. I didn't like Beard After Hours at first but came around on a rewatch and on realizing that some things can stand alone and don't have to be a part of a larger narrative. I, too, was disappointed with some early episodes of S3 but wasn't actually angry and was happy to see where the team was taking us. But for all those that are mad that they didn't get their promised half-hour comedy that doesn't challenge you at all for three full seasons: sorry, the signs were there.)

Bonjour ! We have been waiting 2 years for the Legend Fred to return, and seeing as his resurrection seems to be permanently delayed, I have made the difficult decision to continue the legacy of Point Systems, Rankings, and Generally Scathing Commentary. Inspired by Fred's wit, charm, and heroic recaps, please remember that points are arbitrary but also 100% backed by facts and science.
ANYHOW - we start off with the usual blah blah opening sequence that only served to prove to us that the Love Island producers are trolls who reverse-catfish us with promo pictures. Seriously, its been a decade, please free us from the pain and nonsense !! (-50 points to the stinky producers)
We are then introduced to our first two islanders with a back shot of their bum bums. Jump scare ! Jess immediately asks Ruchee about her type, and Ruchee panders to the ugly men of the world by leading with personality (+5 points for being polite -5 points for lying). Blah blah blah height, blah fashion, Jess is a real one for her anti white skinny jeans platform (+15 points for proactively setting boundaries).
Ruchee has been single for four months which leads me to believe she was in a relationship while applying for LI which is a Textbook MAN MOVE so +15 points to Ruchee for breaking the glass ceiling. Her feet are very small and her shoes are very large (+4 points for fashion risks) .
Following this, a MAN shows up ?!? The girls haven't had a minute alone before being whacked in the face by a medium-tall man with veneers and red bottoms. Mitchell (Red Bottoms) is just as confused as the girlies & we (the viewers) seem to be, but OK good lad for running with the punches and taking it on the chin (+1 point for going with the flow). Jess & Ruchee are both from the SOE (south of England) and Red Bottoms sees this as an opportunity to let them both know he is NOT interested. Or maybe he's just negging them. Red Bottoms asks the girls if he has to pour the drink himself, and Jess reminds him that he is a man and should behave accordingly ( RB -10 points for thinking he's hot enough to be poured for, Jess +10 points for MILF behavior). Red Bottoms asks the girls to guess his job, and is offended that Jess & Ruchee assume he's a plumber. +30 points to Jess for knowing what a Gas Safety License is. In his VT Red Bottoms mentioned that he is a "nice guy" ???? Nice try buddy, you're not fooling anyone (-200 points for Fraudulent Behavior). Also he lives with his parents.
In walks another MAN, Andre, who, unlike Red Bottoms, IS hot enough for the girls to pour him a drink so +5 points for being hot and +5 points for being so hot that Ruchee spills the champagne while pouring. He is also 21 and owns a business which feels illegal but isn't. Andre does a double cheek kiss to let the ladies know that he respects women AND is Portuguese (+8 points for being smooth). Andre is a menace, and he outs himself as such by proclaiming that one of his top features in a woman is her "bum bum". ew. (- 9 points for 7th grade terminology, -3 points for making me miss the days of "BUNDA").
BOOM - Lily Rose De- I mean Ella, shows up. She looks like Lily Rose Depp. Blah Blah what's your type blah blah tall blah blah tan blah bla- did she just say DARSKIN??? +30 points for setting the world record for LIUK girls saying tall dark and handsome and MEANING IT. Red Bottoms basically punches Andres as if he didn't hear that himself (-40 points for violence). OK he didn't PUNCH him but that nudge/smack was very cringey. Andres is living his best life (+15 points for being hot). Ella's VT is fun because she forgets how old she is. Also her VT dress has elbow cutouts (iconic).
Blah blah whats your type blah blah personality (liar) blah blah he says Ella Rose Depp is his type (-4 points for calling her Madam). Maya comes in looking BOMB AS HELL (+50 points to her stylist). Maya explains that they're switching it up a bit, and Andres is outed for flirting w/ Ella Rose Depp. He is LOUD and PROUD about it ( +10 points to Andres for having no chill). Jess proclaims that she LOVES Turkey Teef (veneers) (+4 points for radical honesty).
Maya reveals that she's a JOKESTER because none of them are coupling up with each other, the days of gender isolationism are OVER and the new ERA has begun. Unfortunately the public voted again (sigh) and all agency is taken away from the Islanders (-100 points to the stinky producers for removing the harsh reality of the subs bench). Jess is PISSED but tryna be nice because Maya is there. George arrives (barf), proving once again that the stinky producers A. don't do any due diligence before casting nasty ass people or B. literally don't care (google is your friend and this recap is already long enough without going into details). -100000 points for his hateful language and treatment of people, -4 points because his mom calls him a casanova. George (barf) thinks that 40 year olds play bingo.
George (barf) is matched with Jess which is very sad for her. She is PISSED but Polite. Molly comes in and Red Bottom nearly faints bc she is also wearing Red Bottoms (and top and lipstick) which means that the stinky producers are nudging them to be #theoneswholast. Molly also lives at home and has a chicken (+3 points for owning a chicken). Molly (who owns a chicken) smiles so big and immediately sets her eyes on Red Bottoms. CATHERINE all caps enters the villa, she is so beautiful I could CRY (+5 points for being hot). Molly (who owns a chicken) is partnered with Red Bottoms (SHOCKER) and CATHERINE all caps is coupled up with Andres. +10 points to each of them for being hot.
Mehdi comes strolling in with a swing in his hips and a French Accent. He says "bonjour" to let everyone know that he's French. Ella Rose Depp is praying to the gods above that she is NOT matched w this man. Also, Mehdi looks like he EATS Kitty (+14 points for looking like a MUNCH expert). I just know this man LAYS pipe. Tyrique follows Mehdi and is a semi-pro footballer (- 3 points based on my own prejudice against semi-pro players) . This is good news as he has filled the square head athlete quota of the season. (+9 points to the stinky producers for giving the public what we want).
Mehdi is matched with Ruchee. She is PISSED. Tyrique is matched with Ella Rose Depp. Ella Rose Depp claims they've met and Tyrique doesn't remember??? Is he lying or is she overestimating her Impact? Only time will tell (+2 points to Ella Rose Depp for being Bold, -3 points to Tyrique for forgetting a girl he (probably) made out with). Tyrique has terrible posture so -2 points for his short neck hunch. Maya says "expect the unexpected" ! Scary !
The girls and boys make formal introductions and then Gender Isolationism commences with boys sitting on the U couch and girls sitting at the firepit. Girls chat about their couples, Molly (who owns a chicken) is SO HAPPY and Red Bottoms is ALSO happy (+1 point for true love). Mehdi is all smiles, loving that Ruchee is a brunette. Ruchee is PISSED because he's french and also not her type. Andres says bum bum again (-3 points) which is painful and cruel to the general public. Ella Rose Depp reiterates that she's met Tyrique before and accuses Tyrique of lying (-2 points for standing her ground because is it really that serious?). Jess is PISSED because George (barf) gives off bad vibes but says she's interested in Red Bottoms and Tyrique (+10 points for radical honesty). George (barf) makes a joke about being WD40 and that is very off putting. (-283 points do I really have to explain this)
The boys walk over to the girls and Jess is loud but in a good way. Molly (who owns a chicken) notices that her and Tyrique have matching lightning bolt tattoos behind their left ears. Tyrique is outed for his deaf ear and Molly is outed for picking her tattoo from a Pinterest board (+1 point to Molly for radical honesty). Red Bottoms is about to melt into the couch bc his girl has a matching tattoo with a semi pro footballer.
The crew enters the villa for the first time and everyone is blah blah soooo excited. Molly (who owns a chicken) and Red Bottoms lay in bed immediately. She is really pretty and also funny. Molly (who owns a chicken) and Red Bottoms role play that she is showering and he is peeking to take a look. Jess is still PISSED and George (barf) try to have a conversation but it's giving bland. Jess is very clear that she's playing the game (+13 points for radical honesty). CATHERINE all caps is FAWNING over Andres (deserved) and their eye contact is 10/10 they are so horny for romance.
Ella Rose Depp asks Tyrique if he's ever been further than "exclusive" with a girl (no). Tyrique brings up that they've never met and Ella Rose Depp is PISSED. Ella reveals that she did have blonde hair (-3 points because I checked her instagram and she definitely looks different). Tyrique pretends that he knows what she's talking about (he doesn't). Also he tells her she looks better now ????? nice try buddy but that's not exactly a compliment.
Mehdi and Ruchee sit on OPPOSITE ends of a U couch and he is giving her the eyes. He's into fiery girls and she's into men who put her in her place. She mentions that mannerisms (yikes) are v important but that he's growing on her. Molly (who owns a chicken) and Red Bottoms are having a good time and it's LAFS (love at first sight).
The crew gets ready for the night and Jess asks the girls if they find George (barf) attractive. George (barf) loves to brush his teeth (ZERO points for hygiene because that is simply expected). Jess does the toast and the dancing to no music commences (PS is it confirmed that they dance to silence??) Molly (who owns a chicken) and Red Bottoms plan on coordinating outfits and also gaslighting the villa into thinking it's an accident (+3 points to each for scheming). CATHERINE all caps and Tyrique start chatting and he's checking her temperature bc he's ready to SLIP and SLIDE into her heart (at least for the moment). She clocks him as a life ruiner (to be confirmed). Andre joins Red Bottoms, Jess, and Ruchee to announce that he is VERY interested in CATHERINE all caps. Red Bottoms calls Ruchee and Jess pretty but also friend zones them by calling them "family".
Medhi turns on the charm with Ella Rose Depp and once again reminds us that he's ANTI blonde hair. He tells Ella that she's his type but is also realistic saying that him & Ruchee don't have a vibe YET. Ella Rose Depp does NOT tell him that he's her type.
Beer pong (sober) commences, reminding us of the long gone days of binge drinking on TV (RIP). Red Bottoms kisses Molly (who owns a chicken) and Jess and ALSO Ella Rose Depp. Ella is not about it and says he's a bad kisser (yikes). Jess takes any excuse to mug off George (barf) and makes out with Red Bottoms. Molly (who owns a chicken) is PISSED.
George (barf) proceeds to hit us with the ick heard round the world and demonstrates his org*sm (which involves falling over? weird). Molly (who owns a chicken) and Jess have a pushup competition and Molly wins (-5 points to Molly for not taking off her shoes). More of the usual commences, CATHERINE all caps kisses Andres and Tyrique, Tyrique's terrible posture is terribly distracting. Molly (who owns a chicken) bit Red Bottoms ear or wha'eva. -12 points to the stinky producers for messing up the cups and making Andres ride CATHERINE all caps like a horse. Ella Rose Depp has a dance off with Mehdi who takes it like a champ. -10 points to the stinky producers who EXPLICITY write that kisses have to be of the opposite gender. GAY RIGHTS!
SURPRISE!! Maya is in the building, and in a very transparent attempt to kick George (barf) out of the villa immediately, asks the girls who aren't happy in their couples to step forward (Jess and Ruchee immediately move away). These girls are ready to jump ship. Jess thinks George (barf) is ugly and Ruchee thinks Mehdi's mannerisms are a turn off. Is Ruchee mad that Mehdi isn't upset? We shall see.
Zachariah walks in and is a personal trainer, "drama follows me around", NOT shocking babes ! Jess's face lights up like it's christmas morning and she is no longer PISSED. Classic Love Island, he has 24hrs to pair up w a girl (and kick George (barf) out of the house.
Hope you enjoyed xoxo cloud_mom

My story if anyone wishes to read it. TW:su1cide, mention of sexual abuse
My father is a malignant narcissist. He abused my mother, my sibling, and I our entire lives. He has abused us financially, emotionally, physically, and sexually. My mother was very sick for a very long time and her sickness was made tremendously worse by the ongoing, never-ending abuse.
I am the oldest daughter and the scapegoat. My father became sexually obsessed with me when I was a teenager and that obsession accelerated when I began talking to a boy at the age of 19. At that time, he began to stalk and harass me and my friends and the boy's family. No one did anything to help.
It was at this time my mother attempted to leave him by moving out and into an apartment. But my mother was already very sick and struggled to support herself. My father took advantage of this and abused her further until she could take no more and moved back in with him. At the time I was in college and he was paying people to stalk me, calling and harassing me and my friends, and even their families. I never graduated.
My younger sibling was born when I was 15. I became my mother's caretaker and raised my sibling until I was 22. My father despised my mother at this point and her inability to perform as a trophy wife. But he also refused to let her go. Abuse of my mother included harassing her doctors so she was denied health care and berating her for being ill and calling her a hypochondriac and faker, calling her a fat loser and a terrible mom. It was relentless.
But to the public my father was a loving caretaker father and husband. To the public he dedicated his entire being to his wife and children. He was just so pitiful because his wife was sick and he loved her so much. As time went by, any mention of the abuse was automatically blamed towards me, the black sheep, the scapegoat, as making shit up and lying. That I was just "crazy" or "sick in the head". Ppl chose to believe him because it was more convenient and because he always paid for dinner or bought them vacations or new cars! People can be bought so cheap.
My father was real particular about the abuse he directed at me as the scapegoat and turned my younger sibling into the golden child.
My father specifically worked to sabotage any dream or attempt at happiness I ever had. From the moment I was born I became a threat to my father. I was everything he could never be and he despised that. He made sure I didn't graduate college, he made sure I never became an actress, he sabotaged my attempt at becoming a singer, an artist, even went after my friends so I would be all alone. What ways you ask? Fake social media accounts to attack my reputation, harassing people, trash talking, calling people and telling them not to hire me, leaving vicious comments and bad reviews, you name it.
He also harassed me at every job that I had for years to the point that I lost jobs and learned I had to notify my managers of who he was and develop a system of what to do if he showed up. I couldn't even have a job because he was so determined the sabotage me in every way.
I developed numerous anxiety disorders and by the time I was in college I was on four different medications. My father delighted in my suffering.
My mother held out for as long as she could doing the best she could as a buffer between my father's abuse and me but in the end she couldn't do it any longer. She finally made a voluntary exit from life 2 days after Christmas in 2010. In the note she left behind, she specifically pointed a finger at my father and his abuse as the number one reason that she decided to do this. He hid this note before police arrived. On that day, he called his best friend, who took me aside and asked me if I believed my father had done it. Years of fear made me instantly say "no" but really I thought " Yes".
Our childhood home was in my mother's name and my mother ignorantly believed that it would be passed on to her children. Instead my father had that house put in his name, sold it (using corruption and lies, it's complicated but I'm sure you all know that too well) and is now moving to Florida under the guise that it is what his wife would have wanted for him.
About a year ago I found out that my father assisted and ensured that my mother would be successful in her attempt. He was heard by three different people on the phone verbally telling my mother that she should do it and that he would ensure the gun was loaded and available to her saying he was "sick of her shit" and her "children would be better off without her depressed, selfish bullshit". These people who witnessed this are happy to tell me this information but are cowards in every other way. I fully believe this revelation.
My sibling is disabled. Disability support is not as easy to attain as most people think it is but we are working on it. For the time being my father is financially supporting (financially abusing) my sibling. After years of abuse including financial abuse I am not financially stable enough to support them and they are fully dependent upon my father. My father has decided he is going to move to Florida and cut them off completely. My father is moving to Florida with half a million dollars that will not last because he blows through money so quickly (but he projects that his children blow all his money, fkn hilarious), I give it 2 years. $200k of that money was meant for me and my sibling from my mother. But because my mother was so sick and because she did not have access to a lawyer she did not understand that my father would get all that money for himself and be able to keep it legally.
My father just texted my sibling saying " you're going to be so sad if you don't see me before I move. I'm trying to help you see me because I know you'll be sad if you don't see me before I die."
Obviously it's so much more complicated than this and there's so much more abuse and horrendous things that he has done that are simply unimaginable.
Just feeling very helpless today about it because I'm poor and I can't support myself let alone my sibling. He had taken so much from us and it makes me feel scared for my sibling and for me honestly. He doesn't deserve to retire, he doesn't deserve to keep this money that was never meant for him, and there's nothing I can do about it.
I'm just so tired.

I just recently started putting singles and lots up for 7 day auctions. All auctions starting at 1.99. I had 54 different listings all end around the same time. Of the 54, 40 of them sold and of the 40 sold I had 8 no pay (three from the same guy). Mind you the most expensive card sold was only $30. Fast forward a few days and I had a sealed wax lot for auction and again it’s been 2 days since it ended and no pay. I’ve reached out to all parties with no response. Other eBay sellers do y’all have this happen a lot? I’ve been selling on eBay for a while but just recently moved to auctions just to clear some stuff out. Seems rather frustrating.

Hi there. I’m a pre op trans woman who has always had an interest in feminization and have decided it’s time to find what I’ve been missing-a partner who has or wants to transition from male to female for a long term romantic relationship.
I am pre op, and unsure about whether or not I want bottom surgery. I think I’d be happy 100% either way, and have always felt that reserving that decision for my future partner and I to make together would be ideal. I’ve lived full time over a decade and consider myself pretty and passable.
About you-you should be in good shape and serious about wanting to leave your masculinity behind and become the woman you have always be meant to be, as well as wanting a long term romantic relationship. I’m sympathetic to home situations and we can discuss more one a person by person basis. It doesn’t matter if you are a masculine man, muscular, have already started to or have transitioned, or are that guy who likes panties or to dress-I want to find someone I can be their rock, their safe space, home.
Let’s unleash the real you. Let’s cook together, go shopping and buy cute outfits and lingerie and have a fashion show at home. Let’s get our hair and nails done together, and dare I say, fall in love?
I’m very real and VERY serious. Is my future lesbian wifey out there? Message me or send a chat if this is you!

Hey everyone, long but maybe a helpful post incoming.
I wanted to share my experience in depth with getting ill very suddenly in October of 2022 (8 months in) so this will be a bit of a longer post. I’m posting this to see if there are some similarities out there, maybe if anyone had some advice for me or even just share some progress, treatments or approaches.
Also for anyone reading that’s having a hard time with symptoms & long covid, I am keeping positive and will keep this post positive too. I strongly believe we will find the mechanisms at work; there is already so much research, testing etc. going on so please try keep your head up there’s a lot of people in this and a lot are getting better too. I am 28, male, active and healthy before this and had little to no health problems prior.
What happened to me at the beginning:
Went on a weekend away with friends at a quiet Airbnb near a beach from Friday through to Monday. Stayed at the airbnb all weekend and had some alcoholic drinks, using the hot tub and just hanging out.
I woke up on Monday morning and immediately started to projectile vomit and could not keep even a sip of watefood down. Vomiting at all is a very rare occurrence for me even after drinking so this was immediately a red flag. After about 3 or 4 hours this eventually subsided during the trip home.
After feeling not the best (flu-like symptoms with upset stomach, hot & cold, sore lower back) for 2 days after arriving home; on Wednesday I felt a dissociation/spaced out feeling come on suddenly while working at home & had what I felt was similar to a panic attack (heart racing, cold hands and feet, lightheaded) and after lying down from this I was slammed with the worst headache I've ever had. And this is where all my symptoms started. I can’t remember exactly when I tested (maybe 2 or 3 antigen tests at home) for covid during this time but it may have been a few days or maybe even a week after this but it was a negative test so for a long time I did not suspect covid. I was leaning more towards a bacterial or virus from the hot tub initially.
What followed:
Below are the symptoms I’ve experienced since then, I also contracted covid at the end of February so I’m unsure if I had Covid twice, or a post viral syndrome from another virus or bacteria that was exacerbated by Covid. EBV, Cytomeglo and further virus testing has come back negative and reading symptoms I feel that there is a lot of similarity with long-covid symptoms mentioned by everyone here.
​

• Headache - almost constant (mild to severe) (severe sinus & tension type headaches, ice pick headaches & pain at back of head as well as front and temples).
• Neck & Shoulder Pain - almost always (sharp or dull)
• Back Pain - often - mostly lower with stomach pain & sometimes middle & upper back
• Fatigue - occasionally - this seems to be on the milder side, can get through days fine.
• Sinus Swelling - often - CT scan showing persistent sinusitis - post nasal drip often follows. this particularly sucks and is very uncomfortable.
• Brain Fog - often, slightly less - comes with sinus swelling at times.
• Heart Palpitations - less often than before, sometimes onset - throbbing feeling in head and all over - multiple ECGs & 24hr Holter Monitor showed nothing.
• IBS - often for the first few months, now more rarely - irregular stool (size, frequency), undigested, sore abdomen strikes suddenly and can cause intense abdominal pain and diarrhea.
• General feeling of Malaise - often
• Tinnitus - often - sharp noise occasionally, low level ringing often.
• Dry/allergic/irritated eyes - occasionally
• Hacking up phlegm - often, onset
• Dermographism - occasionally - only real visible symptom that I’m having
• Twitching - more often recently
• Chest tightness - occasionally - breathlessness, short of breath or dry cough
• Mouth Ulcers & Eye Styes - every month or so, much more common during illness

Newer Symptoms (After contracting Covid):

• Anxiety & Depression - occasionally - related to health condition, have had good mental health until this. very up and down in progression. feel waves of sadness throughout the day or week.
• Pain in testicles - sore for a period of time, has come back a bit - Epididymis on left testicle side swollen, scrotum tightening occasionally, testing showed nothing. This is quite limiting for exercise & running
• Paresthesia - rare - feeling of sunburned skin (stomach, forearms, top of hands, nose and back of neck) - itchy sensations around body. This has subsided since it happened first.
• Hands turning red occasionally - especially when walking.
• Pain in joints, spine, hands - often - arthritis like feeling

My experience:
I wanted to add how things have been for me personally. I feel like I’ve been through my own hell so far. In the first few months I was doing fine as I assumed it would get better in a few weeks, maybe next month, definitely before Christmas etc. while managing symptoms and hanging on to the words of my favourite google search “does post viral syndrome go away” which always brought me the answer I wanted “it is temporary”. During February my mother was diagnosed with cancer and as an only child I think this is where my mental health began to suffer. In March when my testicular pain began I seen another doctor who mentioned central sensitization and my mind and ability to cope plummeted. I was scared out of my mind and I began to wonder if I would survive and had relegated myself to permanent disability for life. I would get a lot of awful feelings out of nowhere, an impending doom sense that was pretty engulfing. Thankfully I have an incredible partner who has been with me every step of the way and she has kept me from some very dark places, I am extremely lucky to have her. I worked for the initial 6 months after getting sick (work from home job) and told my work straight up that I needed support and to role back my responsibilities. Unfortunately as my mental health declined around March I had to step away from work (thankfully insured for now) but was unable to properly look at my work screen, do complex tasks or manage my work without feeling sluggish and needed to step away every 10 or 15 minutes.
The medical side:
I have seen a number of doctors, specialists including 2 A&E visits. Listed below are who I’ve seen and what I’ve done in chronological order. Thankfully have a close family friend who specializes in virology and took my case on to dive into deeper. After tons of testing for what feels like every variation of medical issue, the only thing that has shown up from all the testing done was a very recent positive test for Anti-CCP-AKS which points to polyarthritis as a symptom not a diagnosis. I have a gamma camera scheduled & a colonoscopy too for the summer. In terms of medication I did about 2 months on Amitriptyline, it probably helped some symptoms but I gained a lot of weight so stopped, I have found it hard overall to tell what helps and what doesn’t. One day I’ll try something I think “oh this helps” and then a few days later I’ll suffer symptoms while trying it out. I have tried my best to avoid taking medication and stick to supplements only.
Tests:

• Multiple Bloods - Initially B cells found, Anti-CCP-AKS (Positive at a low level)
• Urine - Normal
• Physical - Normal
• CT - Normal
• Chest X-ray - Normal
• Ultrasound of Abdomen, Scrotum, Thyroid, Bladder - Normal
• MRI of Brain - Normal

Diagnosis per doctor

• Food Poisoning (Walk-in GP)
• Acute Onset Virus (Urgent Care Clinic)
• Tension Headaches (Urgent Care Clinic)
• Bacterial Sinusitis (Walk-in GP)
• Viral Sinusitis (Walk-in GP)
• Post Viral Syndrome (Urgent Care Clinic)

Specialists diagnoses

• Post Viral IBS - (Gastroenterologist)
• Nothing to offer (Mentioned Central Sensitization is controversial) - (Neurologist)
• (Suspected) Central Sensitization (Internal Medicine - Referred)
• Post Viral Syndrome from unspecified Virus (Internal Medicine - Family Doctor who is following up)

Here’s what I’ve been supplementing & doing to support.

• High water consumption
• Vitamin B, D
• Omega 3 (3000mg daily)
• Magnesium (600mg daily)
• Probiotics (Align 1 capsule per day)
• Coconut water, multi-vitamin & electrolytes

Overall I feel a bit better but having plenty of attack/relapses/waves or whatever we want to call them. I find the biggest help is sleeping or resting as much as possible, hot showers and eating right. I’m happy to answer questions and see what compares. I would love some more advice on supplementation as I know its basic at the moment.

Hi there. I’m a pre op trans woman who has always had an interest in feminization and have decided it’s time to find what I’ve been missing-a partner who has or wants to transition from male to female for a long term romantic relationship.
I am pre op, and unsure about whether or not I want bottom surgery. I think I’d be happy 100% either way, and have always felt that reserving that decision for my future partner and I to make together would be ideal. I’ve lived full time over a decade and consider myself pretty and passable.
About you-you should be in good shape and serious about wanting to leave your masculinity behind and become the woman you have always be meant to be, as well as wanting a long term romantic relationship. I’m sympathetic to home situations and we can discuss more one a person by person basis. It doesn’t matter if you are a masculine man, muscular, have already started to or have transitioned, or are that guy who likes panties or to dress-I want to find someone I can be their rock, their safe space, home.
Let’s unleash the real you. Let’s cook together, go shopping and buy cute outfits and lingerie and have a fashion show at home. Let’s get our hair and nails done together, and dare I say, fall in love?
I’m very real and VERY serious. Is my future lesbian wifey out there? Message me or send a chat if this is you!

Up until recently, I held a lot of resentment for this person - for the triangulation, the discard, stealing from me, taking up so much of my time and space, only for them to be so cruel to me.
We had been no contact for the last year - he tried to reconnect and I had just realised I didn't want him in my life anymore. Periodically usually around holidays he'd try to reach out and email me (I blocked him everywhere else.)
He tried to contact me again a week and a half before his suicide and if I knew he had that on his mind, I would've wanted to have a conversation.
His family has a lot of pride and I don't think they ever wanted to have the label of him having mental health issues so he obviously struggled a lot on his own and was abandoned in that way in not getting the help he needed.
It just sucks he couldn't be honest with me a year back - he lied and said he was doing amazing and was happy and (Because money meant a lot to him) he was gloating about how much money he was making. In actuality, he was thousands of dollars in debt, underperforming at work and clearly in another unstable relationship if he was periodically reaching out to me.
Why couldn't he just say "hey Rosewater_Labyrinth, I'm sorry for the way I acted, I really miss you and could use a friend" instead of DEMEANING me and leaving me feeling shaking and anxious? He clearly missed me if he kept reaching out.
LIKE WE COULD HAVE JUST BEEN FRIENDS. Why are they like this?

Hi there. I’m a pre op trans woman who has always had an interest in feminization and have decided it’s time to find what I’ve been missing-a partner who has or wants to transition from male to female for a long term romantic relationship.
I am pre op, and unsure about whether or not I want bottom surgery. I think I’d be happy 100% either way, and have always felt that reserving that decision for my future partner and I to make together would be ideal. I’ve lived full time over a decade and consider myself pretty and passable.
About you-you should be in good shape and serious about wanting to leave your masculinity behind and become the woman you have always be meant to be, as well as wanting a long term romantic relationship. I’m sympathetic to home situations and we can discuss more one a person by person basis. It doesn’t matter if you are a masculine man, muscular, have already started to or have transitioned, or are that guy who likes panties or to dress-I want to find someone I can be their rock, their safe space, home.
Let’s unleash the real you. Let’s cook together, go shopping and buy cute outfits and lingerie and have a fashion show at home. Let’s get our hair and nails done together, and dare I say, fall in love?
I’m very real and VERY serious. Is my future lesbian wifey out there? Message me or send a chat if this is you!

Hello everyone, I have a interesting Idea to share with you all today, So buckle up and hear me out.
After having a few days of thought and searching the workshop for similar mods, I have realized that no man has ever made a mod that brought in anything from the fallout games into Dayz, and I intend on changing that.
I would like to call this mod "Project New Vegas", and I am actively looking for others such as myself with at least some experience in: Modeling, Importing, Scripting and Texturing that would like to improve their portfolio and learn more about what Dayz has to offer.
I would like to say that this is a passion project, therefore commissions will not currently be a thing. This idea is meant for those with a deep passion for the Fallout games, for those who would like to see a community grow around the idea of the Fallout world and story.
While I might not be a man with deep pockets or the current necessary skill to create something of this sort. I am a man of great ambition and dedication to see things through properly, while also including in many great ideas for the betterment of the community.
I have compiled a very loose document detailing the ideas behind what exactly I intend to bring into the world of Dayz from the Fallout games: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10Hu0Ad2Cld0s4R781YUuyFd6a33k4w7axAdQnOCRwFc/edit?usp=sharing If the initial idea is received positively more might be added onto it in the future.
Here's a discord link for anyone ineterested to keep watch on the progress of this idea: https://discord.com/invite/TePtNuCauz
If anyone has any questions I would be more than happy to answer them to the best of my abilities. That is all, thank you for reading this and have a great day.

Hi there. I’m a pre op trans woman who has always had an interest in feminization and have decided it’s time to find what I’ve been missing-a partner who has or wants to transition from male to female for a long term romantic relationship.
I am pre op, and unsure about whether or not I want bottom surgery. I think I’d be happy 100% either way, and have always felt that reserving that decision for my future partner and I to make together would be ideal. I’ve lived full time over a decade and consider myself pretty and passable.
About you-you should be in good shape and serious about wanting to leave your masculinity behind and become the woman you have always be meant to be, as well as wanting a long term romantic relationship. I’m sympathetic to home situations and we can discuss more one a person by person basis. It doesn’t matter if you are a masculine man, muscular, have already started to or have transitioned, or are that guy who likes panties or to dress-I want to find someone I can be their rock, their safe space, home.
Let’s unleash the real you. Let’s cook together, go shopping and buy cute outfits and lingerie and have a fashion show at home. Let’s get our hair and nails done together, and dare I say, fall in love?
I’m very real and VERY serious. Is my future lesbian wifey out there? Message me or send a chat if this is you!

I've been using Pixlr for a while in the free version, and I'd been thinking of upgrading but I've been having so much glitchy behavior from it lately that I'm not sure it's worth paying for and I should instead save for Photoshop (pricier but more reliable.)
In particular I'm having troubles with:

• copy-pasting items neither seeming to copy nor paste (I'm just told the layer is empty, keep trying to copy the items and it never seems to take. Note this isn't an "empty layer" issue, I'm sometimes trying to copy whole images and it just doesn't copy.)
• Stuff I draw in a new layer appearing while drawn but vanishing soon as I lift the stylus (checked settings to make sure layer wasn't set to invisible or overlay or something that might make it seem to vanish -- nope, it's really just disappearing)
• Pictures not saving at the size I had entered (and that's a waste of a free save)
• If I merge layers then hit undo, the layers don't return as before, with some items missing or shifted out of place.

This is all somewhat tolerable for a "well, it's free" program, but given how it's pitching I should spring for the paid version I'm not happy to spend on something so glitchy.

Maybe someone will see something that I missed, but this was a pretty shitty start to my day.
I couldn't find my mother's debit card at the grocery store this morning so I went to the last place I used it, an ATM machine at a small bank near our house. It's the kind where it gives you the money, and then after a few seconds releases the card, and I thought there was no way it would still be here if that's where I had left it. So I go in the bank and ask if they had found it. Turns out someone was kind enough to drop it in the overnight slot, so I was very surprised and relieved. She tells me that they can't release it to me though since it's from another bank and they can't look up the account, so my mother would have to pick it up.
I explain that she's disabled (Lyme's Disease) and doesn't walk well, she's on the phone with me (so she could also hear everything that was going on), and I have her ID with me if that helps, but if not it's not a problem and she'll be over soon since we live right around the corner. They reiterate, so no worries, I leave. I get home and my mother heads back out to get the card. 15 minutes later I get a phone call from my mom saying the lady refused to give her the card back as it's against their policy, denied telling me she could come get it, SHREDS the card in front of her, and tells her they will notify our bank as such.
Please someone tell me if this makes sense. Why not shred the card while I'm there? Why isn't the card already shredded? I just don't get it. Like, I'm still happy that at least the card was safe and no one ran off and drained her bank account, but now we've got to get a new card and switch so much stuff to a new card number for seemingly no reason. And its slow at work so I have nothing else to do but think of this situation aaaaahhhhhhhh

Wanted to run this by you good folks. What if we all cancelled our prime subscriptions in large numbers? I realize that’s something difficult to organize and promote. Especially getting people onboard with it without marketing dollars.
But we keep yearning for change. We keep floating different ideas to protest our horrible economic conditions. Fight back against corporate exploitation.
But it's clear that hitting corporations in wallet is most effective. Versus other methods...
My one and only concern is it will put amazon employees out of work. Unlike these corporate pigs, we don't view workers as collateral damage. Amazon is happy to treat their employees like shit and kick them to the curb the first chance they get. But we can't ignore the workers.
I'm sure a similar idea has been floated here. And it's just a small step but we can succeed by piecemealed goals. Chip away at this capitalist monopoly one piece at a time.
I wanna hear your feedback. And I've already cancelled my prime membership.

Hey y’all. I feel like I’m at a fork-in-the-road in my careelife and could really use some advice. I’m a couple weeks shy of my 30th birthday. Growing up, I always felt drawn to the medical field, particularly dentistry (after doing some job shadowing during high school). I went to college in hopes of eventually becoming a dentist or orthodontist. I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Exercise and Sport Science in 2015. During undergrad, I finished all of the dental school pre-requisite classes (organic chem, physics, etc etc etc). My final GPA wasn’t great (around 2.8ish), so I was afraid of spending tons of money on dental school applications just to get rejected. At the time, I thought I could find a job in a dental office (even if it was cleaning toilets, I didn’t care) just to get experience in the field, then use that experience to help boost my applications to dental schools after a year or so. Turns out, dental offices don’t want you to work there unless you already have experience, so I spent two years working random jobs (sales, merchandising, and a trampoline park). During this time period, I enrolled in a pre-medical post-bac program and spent 3 semesters retaking some science classes to get higher grades for my transcripts.
Then in 2017, my mom needed help opening her own daycare. I agreed to help with the business side of things while she got it all “up and running.” That lead to me essentially becoming her assistant director AND teaching a class of 1-2 year olds, working sometimes 50+ hour weeks… all for $10/hour. It was horrible. With some therapy, I got the courage to apply to a two year program in dental hygiene, thinking that would help get my foot into the dental door. I finished the program in 2021 and worked as a hygienist for about 15 months. I absolutely hated every single day of it. I hate being rushed all day, I hate dealing with asshole patients, I hate when insurance/money don’t allow patients to get the care they deserve, I hate how much it hurt my body (back/hands), and I could go on. I’ve dealt with some pretty harsh anxiety and depression that really ramped up after graduating back in 2015. I was in therapy and on meds, but ultimately I began having panic attacks daily throughout the first week of January 2023. It felt like my body was refusing to let me go back to work, like I just physically couldn’t do it anymore. My doctor advised a medical leave, which then led to me not going back. I have now spent the last six months trying different medications, different styles of therapy, educating myself about mental health, started with a personal trainer and a psychiatrist, and got a dog - just doing everything I can to feel better and slowly try to crawl my way out of this deep, dark hole inside my brain.
Now I’m not sure where to go from here. My time as a hygienist made me realize that becoming a dentist isn’t the right job for me. I’ve been thinking about moving into the tech world. Maybe I could do something tech-related... for a dental company? I feel like I’ve dedicated so much time and energy to the dental field and I hate for all of that to go to waste… but I definitely do not want to work directly with patients. I always loved anatomy/physiology classes. I enjoy working with computers and technology. I’ve done some research on coding and UX/UI design which are intriguing. Maybe data analytics? I know artificial intelligence and virtual/augmented reality are probably going to be even bigger in the future, maybe I should step into something like that? I don’t consider myself particularly creative, but music production and graphic design are things I’d like to learn even if they’re only hobbies. I have a friend who works for Apple Music and that seems so cool as a music lover. I can’t really imagine being happy with a job unless I could work from home, but I’m trying to be open-minded. Any suggestions or advice are welcome. I’d be glad to answer any questions you have. Thanks for reading such a long ass post.