u/Softer_Stars

Hi there!

I am a returning student. My partner works nights so it's been hard to find a good spot to study that has both a power oulet and available table space, especially at the library. I've been hopping around different libraries but I just haven't found much. I can only sit in a cushy sofa seat with no comfortable way to write for so long!

I was wondering if folks had recommendations for cafes or businesses that are good for hanging out and studying in. I've debated skipping down to Green River but I'm not a student there. My college is a half hour drive away (it was the best place to get the program I wanted) so it's just been nightmare-ish trying to get there with gas prices and cringes I-5 traffic.

I am new to the Tacoma area; I actually live slightly north but I'll be driving down for school at Clover Park every few weeks for the in person labs.

I made the mistake of going to Dennys this morning. Has the world gone insane? 15 dollars for a hashbrown and eggs. God damn.

Where do you recommend for eating cheap but good? I miss dairy mart and their crock pot full of gravy. I don't need life changing, I need not questioning my life choices entering a diner in 2026.

Man, I just wanted biscuits and gravy. This economy sucks.

Hi there!

I am currently in Japan. A friend of mine is willing to pay good money for a kimono that would actually fit him; he is a large guy and has always struggled finding stuff that fits at regular retailers and vendors. We went to a few shops in Harajuku today to get advice from some shops on who might sell larger kimonos. One of them mentioned there were places in Tokyo but couldn't recall the name.

I was wondering if any men or plus sized folks here have leads. We are happy to take the time to travel to another part of Tokyo or even custom order.

Please let me know if you know of any good places to try!

I do not know what he has in mind; having places to start is just my goal. :)

Hello there,

I am looking for where to order a full replacement for a 2013 chevy spark tail light, including the case and the lightbulbs. I am not car savvy when it comes to ordering parts so I am very nervous!

To make a long story short, my tail light went out recently - and then I discovered for ???? long it's been full of rain water. I think it's just best I replace the whole thing at this rate.

Me again! Working out my scheduling.

For days stayed, do you think this is enough time, too much time, in each area? We wanted more time in Okinawa but our hotel resort we got booked with points didn't have much availability, so we thought we'd wrap up the trip with some beach time and the Aquarium there. Should I shorten our stay in Osaka for more time in Tokyo? (Or vise versa?)

Do you also recommend we move hotels in Tokyo and stay in a different part in Tokyo for part of our Tokyo stay, or is it pretty easy to navigate Tokyo by train once you're there?

8/22: ARRIVE IN JAPAN (TOKYO)

8/23

8/24

8/25

8/26

8/27

 

8/28: TRAIN TO OSAKA

8/29

8/30

8/31

9/1

9/2

9/3: FLY TO OKINAWA (Arrive around 6:00 PM)

9/4:

9/5

9/6: FLY OUT OF OKINAWA (Leave hotel at 10:00, flight doesn’t leave until 4:30 PM)

Seeking recommendations for hotels and hostels that come highly recommended for safety/convenience, without breaking the budget. ( > $120 USD a night.) Was originally going to go with Apa based on a friend's recommendation, but I've read that the hotel chain promotes some pretty nasty stuff, on top of being shifty businesswise.

We'll be staying in Tokyo and Osaka. I'm open to exploring options, I just feel like I'm drowning in potential stays with no real direction! I've scrolled the forums here but a lot of the posts I've come across are at least 2-3 years old now.

Hi there,

I am currently spending the week exploring a surgical tech career.

A bit about my background: My original major is in media communications, though I started out in medicine before my college ended their RN program with the intent on nursing. There...weren't a lot of options in a liberal arts college town. I enjoyed it a lot! However, I found after exploring numerous office jobs that I was not really suited for sitting at a desk all day.

After taking a detour working in an animal shelter, I grew to realize I really enjoyed the prep work and assisting that came with the job. I was also exposed to some incredibly gruesome and gross stuff - things I've been warned about with surgery that I was worried about but now know I handle very well. As I explore a more professional, life long career, I've been thinking hard about becoming a surgical tech - after all, if I can stand for 10 hours a day while managing nearly 100 lb dogs who would very much like to jump all over me while I try to stick them with a needle, I think I can handle handing instruments and learning the routine of surgeons.

That being said: I have a lot of doubts. I'm trying to learn everything I can about the reality of the job. I've worked some real nightmare retail and restaurant positions, so I'm used to a chaotic scheduling pattern and being on-call constantly. I'm not really bothered by that - I expect it, starting out.

I suppose I'd like to hear expectations, experiences, things to consider when looking at a career. I live near Seattle so the job opportunities are endless; many small and large clinics. The program I'm looking at has a decent graduation rate. I'm just looking for more personal accounts - why you love it, why you hate it, what you wish you knew before going in, and such.

This year, I started gardening. The house we moved into was previously owned by some very talented gardeners, and we've been extremely lucky to be blessed with a lot of different herbs, flowers, plants, and too many grapes. So many grapes. We are living in a grape economy. I have donated so many grapes to food boxes over the last year. I've got azaleas, lilacs, lavender, rhododendrons up the wazoo, roses, peonies...so many plants, and we barely do much with them.

Every year, I have caught myself wondering if getting into distillation could be a funny hobby. I'm not looking for anything grand, just something I could store for personal use or gift to friends. Truly, I'm just looking to get into at a hobby level.

I was wondering what kind of distilling kits you'd recommend for someone who's just looking for something to do with her plants.

A bit about my background:

My colleges didn't offer much in the way of medicine, but I've gotten a great opportunity to return to school and earn a medical degree of some sort. I initially enrolled as a pharmacy technician, but the program filled before I had a chance to enroll. I can either wait until winter term to begin - risky - or explore other options, which I'm open to.

The programs I could enroll into are surgical technician, histology technician, or medical laboratory technician. What I am worried about are the work-life balance of each position, as well as whether these jobs are ADHD friendly for folks who have auditory processing issues. Right now I am looking at histology or lab tech, but I'm worried both won't pay a stable income.

If there's other careers like this that you recommend I look into - I'm open to suggestions - let me know.

A bit about me:

• I worked with people with disabilities and animals previously, as a PSW/animal care technician. My favorite parts about the job were paperwork and working with people.
• I do really well in high-stress environments.
• I have been told I'm incredibly empathetic but could use some work on my organizational skills.
• I have weak math skills and would have to retake math at a college level to catch up to my peers. Statistics was my best course work with an A-.
• I have strong biology and genetics skills and have a very great skill set in working with people with disabilities who may have communication barriers.

Really, I'm looking for guidance on what to do here. I just want a job that's sustainable, has decent hours (and I'm willing to work nights!) and won't disappear in a few years as AI replaces things.

What would you recommend? What questions do you have for me that would help determine a degree otucome?