u/tswift-cats

i need some help because i’ve officially reached the point where i have no idea what to give my father-in-law for his birthday lol i’ve been with my husband for six years, so at this point i feel like i’ve already given him every gift i could possibly think of

the thing is, he’s retiring this year, so i’d really love to give him something related to this new phase of his life. something he could actually enjoy now that he’ll have a lot more free time, rather than just another random gift

some things about him:

- he loves watching tv shows. some of his favorites are breaking bad, better call saul, the office, etc. i’ve already given him way too many mugs and t-shirts related to the shows he likes, so i’m trying to stay away from that category
- he already has subscriptions to basically every streaming service, so i don’t think another streaming subscription would make much sense
- he likes alcoholic drinks, and i’ve already given him glasses, mugs, etc.
- he likes cars, but i wouldn’t say he’s really into them
- he really loves my mother-in-law, and they love traveling together

he is a very kind of ‘old school’ guy, but he is really soft on the inside

so i was thinking maybe something that would encourage him to enjoy retirement, spend more time doing something he likes, or maybe something he and my mother-in-law could enjoy together?

i’m open to pretty much anything at this point because i feel like i’ve run out of ideas 😭 ideally something thoughtful rather than just giving him another shirt or mug

what would you give someone like this?

I (F25) am going to China in November, and although shopping isn’t the main purpose of my trip, I’ll definitely be buying a few things. I’ve seen a lot of people mention stores like Urban Revivo, White Rabbit and Harmay, and say that it’s not really worth spending money on European/American brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors, etc. And that’s totally fine with me, because I’m actually more interested in discovering local Chinese brands

The thing is, I always see people from my own country talking about what they bought and what was worth it, but I’d really love to hear from people who actually live in China: what do you recommend buying?

For example: are there any local makeup or skincare brands that are really worth trying? Clothing stores with really good prices (not just the popular ones or ‘the ones that resembles Zara’)? Any other products or brands that you think are particularly good value in China?

I’ll be in Shanghai and Beijing, so I assume I won’t have much trouble finding the major chain stores

I’m planning to buy some clothes and souvenirs and try the local food

I don’t plan on spending too much, but I also don’t want to feel like I’m missing out

PS: Hi, I didn’t mean cash. I meant how much money I should have in my virtual wallet/Alipay.

Hi! I want to finish reading Zodiac Academy, but I’ve only read up to book 7. When book 8 came out, I didn’t read it, and I recently found out there’s a book 9 as well. But honestly, I don’t have the time or patience to reread all seven books, and it has been a while since I first read it

I remember some essential things, like >!Orion being imprisoned, Darius sacrificing himself for Tory, and them having a forbidden romance after rejecting their bond… I remember that they take shelter in an underground cave, but I don’t remember why. I remember that they can’t go back to the academy, but I also don’t remember why. I know Caleb has a romance with Seth, and the other Heir is supposed to end up with one of the girls’ friends. And I remember that Gabriel is the twins’ brother.!<

What else do I need to remember to have a good reading experience with the last two books?

Hi! I want to finish reading Zodiac Academy, but I’ve only read up to book 7. When book 8 came out, I didn’t read it, and I recently found out there’s a book 9 as well. But honestly, I don’t have the time or patience to reread all 7 books, and it has been a while since I first read it

I remember some essential things, like >!Orion being imprisoned, Darius sacrificing himself for Tory, and them having a forbidden romance after rejecting their bond… I remember that they take shelter in an underground cave, but I don’t remember why. I remember that they can’t go back to the academy, but I also don’t remember why. I know Caleb has a romance with Seth, and the other Heir is supposed to end up with one of the girls’ friends. And I remember that Gabriel is the twins’ brother.!<

What else do I need to remember to have a good reading experience with the last two books?

i’d love a recommendation for a dragon or dragon shifter romance with a fated mates premise, similar to zodiac academy

thanks!!

going to shanghai for the 1st in november and im not a mandarin speaker, although i speak english, spanish and portuguese

i heard many people don’t speak english. are locals friendly towards tourists and non mandarin speakers?

of course ill use a translator and im also trying to learn the most important expressions, but im afraid people wont have any patience with me

im visiting beijing and shanghai for the first time this nov and i’ve already planned most of the major attractions (Forbidden City, Yu Garden, Temple of Heaven, etc.).

i’d love recommendations from people who have actually lived in or visited these cities:
- where to stay
- neighborhoods that tourists often skip but are worth exploring
- favorite local restaurants or street foods (my partner is a peak eater so this would be highly appreciated)
- interesting shops for clothes, stationery, souvenirs or snacks

also would LOOOOVE some tips on where to buy pokémon cards and merch (besides the pokémon center in shanghai)

i’m less interested in insta-famous places and more in spots locals genuinely enjoy

tyyyy!

im visiting beijing and shanghai for the first time this nov and i’ve already planned most of the major attractions (Forbidden City, Yu Garden, Temple of Heaven, etc.).

i’d love recommendations from people who have actually lived in or visited these cities:
- neighborhoods that tourists often skip but are worth exploring
- favorite local restaurants or street foods
- interesting shops for clothes, stationery, souvenirs or snacks

also would love some recs on where to buy pokémon cards and merch

i’m less interested in insta-famous places and more in spots locals genuinely enjoy

tyyyy!

i saw a tiktok drama with this premise and now i’m desperate to read a book like it 😭

the fmc is plus size and ends up sleeping with her high school crush, who was basically the most popular guy at school. after that night, they both leave and never see each other again

years later, they meet again and start getting involved, but here’s the twist: she thinks he has no idea she’s the same girl from that night, meanwhile, he’s known it was her the entire time

does anyone know any books with this kind of plot? bonus points if the mmc has been obsessed/pining for her all along 🫶🏻

i’m looking for romance books where the mmc has been pining for the fmc for a long time, and the second she finally gives him even a little bit of attention, he’s all in and absolutely refuses to let the opportunity slip away

i’m looking for the kind of mmc who’s been quietly in love with her forever, convinced he’ll never have a chance, and then the moment she reciprocates even slightly, he’s like, “i’m never letting you go”

one book that gave me exactly this feeling was The Devil You Know, and i absolutely loved it. i’m looking for more books with that same dynamic

thank you in advance!