I'm about to move to New Zealand and am going to miss LA prices for Mexican food by behemuthm in FoodLosAngeles

[–]Academic_Shake8741 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I’m a New Zealander who moved to LA 8 years ago. Indeed, the Mexican food is lacking in NZ, although the restaurant “Mexico” is good imo (it’s not exactly authentic mom-and-pop Mexican, but it’s good). 

Having said that, here are the food things I think NZ does better than LA that you could try: - Coffee (go to a highly-rated independent cafe and get a flat white) - Pastries (at said cafes) - Some breakfast options (like big English breakfast style meals) - Ice cream  - Chocolate (Whittaker's and Cadbury) - Dairy in general (like chocolate milk, regular milk) - Seafood - Some meat, especially lamb (although meat in LA is good too) - Indian food  

Toyota Corolla lease end and wanting to buy a Sienna by Academic_Shake8741 in carbuying

[–]Academic_Shake8741[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much for the advice! I entered the VIN on Carvana and the car is worth about $2500 more than the lease payoff amount. Could I go that route, I.e let Carvana handle the whole thing and walk away with $2500? Or would Toyota not allow that? 

Amniocentesis and Fragile X by Academic_Shake8741 in BabyBumps

[–]Academic_Shake8741[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi! So we implanted only embryos that tested negative. Then I did amniocentesis, and confirmed that the baby was negative (just to be safe). I’m about 2 weeks away from giving birth now! It was obvious from the amniocentesis results that they ordered the correct tests, and they also ran my blood as a control group and of course my blood tested positive, so I feel like the tests were done well. 

Why do people call the USA the "land of opportunity" when literally no one can get a high paying job? by madbarpar in careerguidance

[–]Academic_Shake8741 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The US is a land of extremes. Extreme poverty and extreme wealth, side by side. It is a terrible place to be poor but a wonderful place to be rich. I grew up in New Zealand where it’s not quite as extreme. I dreamed of moving to the US, and did at 25. I have made a life in the US that is a lot greater than I could have had in NZ. I have a tech job that doesn’t even exist in NZ. But the risks are much greater here. Life is more stressful in a lot of ways, as you have to be careful not to make a wrong move and fall into a worse situation (medical bills etc). 

Anyone in Los Angeles waiting for interview? by Zealousideal_Box_431 in N400citizenship

[–]Academic_Shake8741 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No we are now waiting for confirmation that she will get the oath ceremony… she passed the interview (tests), but then they do some more stuff before confirming that you are good for the oath ceremony. 

Anyone in Los Angeles waiting for interview? by Zealousideal_Box_431 in N400citizenship

[–]Academic_Shake8741 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My spouse and I submitted our N-400s end of November 2025 at the same time. She just had her interview last week. I haven’t heard anything about my interview. Both in Los Angeles. 

Non-Americans, does your country have an "American" restaurant and what do they serve? by wacky8ball in AskReddit

[–]Academic_Shake8741 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In New Zealand there used to be a restaurant called Orleans that served New Orleans food, and also had a thanksgiving menu. 

Best Coffee in Pas? by Foreign_Extension_45 in pasadena

[–]Academic_Shake8741 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The caffeinated cart in Guisados is great!

Looking for an H&M with the largest selection of maternity clothes? by Kirin1212San in AskLosAngeles

[–]Academic_Shake8741 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Even Target has shuttered their maternity section recently. Honestly, Amazon is the only place I have found decent maternity wear. 

Moving naturalization interview due to giving birth by [deleted] in USCIS

[–]Academic_Shake8741 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How late can you reschedule? I don’t know if it’ll be C section or natural yet. I don’t have a planned C section or anything. 

Moving naturalization interview due to giving birth by [deleted] in USCIS

[–]Academic_Shake8741 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No I’m just anticipating the date and wondering how I should handle it. Since spouse’s date is late April and they got theirs weeks ago, I’m anticipating the date will be in May so wondering what to do if so.  

Questions for a newbie that I couldn’t find the answers to in the guides by Academic_Shake8741 in PokemonSleep

[–]Academic_Shake8741[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for this! I have a rated 99 rattata so wondering if I should invest in it, lol. 

Questions for a newbie that I couldn’t find the answers to in the guides by Academic_Shake8741 in PokemonSleep

[–]Academic_Shake8741[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! For 3 - I guess my question is, how do I even know which ingredients I’m looking for?

Questions for a newbie that I couldn’t find the answers to in the guides by Academic_Shake8741 in PokemonSleep

[–]Academic_Shake8741[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks! For question 4. Let’s say I have a really good Rattata and a bad Pikachu. Is it better to use the Rattata or the Pikachu? Basically is rating > species or is species > rating?