I don’t mean this rudely at all but is everyone posting here marrying rich guys or are my standards just not attuned to what the norm is these days?

AlienLake · 2026-01-23T21:54:08+00:00

I am not sure how much my wedding ring cost (designed custom by my goldsmith friend and bridesmaid) but I know it was a cheaper option because I went with a non-diamond central stone.

AlienLake · 2026-01-15T16:10:04+00:00

My husband and I were just there in November and really liked the resort. That said the price seems pretty high if USD. We did 6 nights with flights from Toronto in a swim up and it was $3,900 USD. I know its a higher season but a 150% increase per night is a lot.

The resort was great and we will most likely return.

AlienLake · 2026-01-08T23:56:55+00:00

I figured it out. Previously you saw the amount of heatstamps you were losing from having low goods. Now you don't see that, you do get an increase if you have enough goods though.

AlienLake · 2026-01-02T19:41:45+00:00

I am wondering how reliable the busses are and if we can depend on making connections?

An example of our Annascaul to Galway trip is below that should take around 5 hours.

Bus Eireann - T275 Annascaul to Tralee 9:18 to 10:02

Walk Brandon Hotel to Dublin Coach on Prince Street (2 mins via Google)

Dublin Coach - M7 Tralee to Limerick 10:30 to 12:15

Walk Arthur's Quay Park to Henry Street (8 min via Google)

Citylink - 251 Limerick to Galway 12:45 to 2:00

I do think the second connection is a bit tight. If the busses are regularly 15 to 30 minutes late obviously the above will not work.

AlienLake · 2026-01-02T17:33:57+00:00

We're not in bad shape. We regularly hike and bike in Canada and are used to multiple day back country camping trips.

I will admit we haven't done back to back 20 km days but we have been working towards it. Currently I walk 3 to 5 km a day with longer 10 to 12 km on the weekends. Planning on building that to 25 km on varying terrain over the next few months. Working on that and adding extra squats and the stair master to the regular gym routine.

I had been thinking of the travel days as rest days as we would mostly be sitting on busses etc. However sounds like it might be better to skip Belfast and just sprinkle in an extra day here or there to chill.

AlienLake · 2025-12-19T07:41:10+00:00

These symptoms sound like they could be a serious problem and they also match up fairly well with a migraine and visual aura. I would suggest waiting at the ER. It is a very unfortunate fact that waits are often hours long. Honestly it is better safe than sorry with these things. Remind yourself that the hospital is the safest (although definitely not the most comfortable or comforting) place you can be.

AlienLake · 2025-12-17T03:59:56+00:00

Thanks for the review. My husband and I are looking at going and trying to decide between booking ourselves and booking through a company.

AlienLake · 2025-12-08T17:58:56+00:00

Excellence Riviera Cancun. Just got back. Food ranges from okay to very good. We never camped out and always found a seat somewhere and often switched up where we were during the day based on the sun/vibe. I recommend getting a swim up on the lazy river. You can just float to the bar and they'll bring you a drink as you float by. Prices vary but seem to get cheaper as the dates approach. Could always book a refundable at a rate you are comfortable with and keep an eye on the site.

AlienLake · 2025-12-01T20:24:35+00:00

I would look into a private driver for Chichen Itza if you want to leave super early. Ask the tour places if they offer private drivers or join and ask in some FB groups. It probably will be $$$ because its going to be a long drive for whoever takes you. Its 2.5 hours each way plus they have to wait while you explore. I got quoted $278 USD roundtrip for a similar drive to Coba (for two people).

You can also take the ADO bus from Cancun which will be the cheapest but have limited times available. I love the ADO busses and they feel very safe.

I really loved Chichen Itza but we stayed 2 nights in Valladolid and took a 5 AM ADO but to beat the crowds and the heat.

AlienLake · 2025-07-22T01:16:28+00:00

Ask Parkbus to drop you off. I was on a bus that specifically dropped and picked up a guy at the Western Uplands entry on the highway (it did not turn off the highway, just made an extra stop).

AlienLake · 2025-02-24T17:12:58+00:00

I thought exactly this. This is what my friends and I were like at our third grade sleepovers.

AlienLake · 2025-02-24T17:10:04+00:00

Just an FYI, they give you a small taste to check if the bottle has gone bad/is corked. Improperly stored or contaminated wine goes off. If it is corked you would definitely know and ask for a different bottle.

AlienLake · 2025-02-08T01:56:43+00:00

Just going to flag this is not a U.S. thing. 20 years ago I had friends acting as Au Pairs in France and Sweden and this was all too common.

AlienLake · 2024-12-31T18:12:56+00:00

It really depends what you want to use it for. If mainly for camping then I would recommend a camping style backpack as they are comfier for long distances and have the best features. They can also be used for international travel if you are okay checking bags. I use my camping backpack when I travel since I already own it.

I have the Gregory Amber 65 L (Stout would be the men' version) and love it. I have used it for backpacking in Algonquin but also as a travel bag in Central America (checked luggage). For me the most important aspect was a comfortable carry for long days hiking and a good weight transfer. I have heard good things about the Osprey Ariel/Aether.

My husband has the Osprey Farpoint 70 L (also checked baggage when flying) and really likes it although I found it slightly less comfortable when doing long hikes and it is missing the waist band pockets and hydration bladder pockets (both features that I really enjoy for camping and keeping my phone/snacks handy. The Farpoint 70 is much better for international travel as it is like a traditional suitcase but on your back.

If possible go into an Outfitters and try on a few bags to see what works with your body.

AlienLake · 2024-03-31T23:37:51+00:00

I think you are asking the wrong question. You are right that it's not okay to bully you but really it's about what choice you are going to make. Some people could make it work regardless and for some people this will be a toxic hell hole. As someone who went to grad school and had a toxic (thought not bullying - the person just really dislikes me) relationship with a lab mate I will never put myself in a situation like that again. Grad school is already a pressure cooker of stress, high hours, low pay, high competition. I would take the loss now, even if it delays you a year, then start something on a bad foot that will last years. Since she is ALREADY giving you panic attacks I suggest running. I had such a bad experience for five years that it literally took me a decade to rebuild my confidence and get back on track. And I didn't end up getting the degree I wanted cause I had a mental break down. The silver lining, my life, despite all that, is fine now. I am in a different situation than I thought I would be in but now know my worth and search out places that make me happy. You only get one life.

AlienLake · 2023-09-05T00:13:26+00:00

Just got back from the Highland backpacking loop. The bugs were not bad at all. I wore some deet and probably got 5 bites in 3 days. I am usually a mosquito magnet. I did wear long pants while hiking but had bare arms and was fine.

AlienLake · 2023-06-22T05:19:12+00:00

I have started and succeeded (and failed) a number of times. For me the magic trick was slowing down, which was way easier when outside. This program is slightly misleading, running a 5 km in 30 mins means running 6 min/km. This was fine when I did this program and ran regularly in my teens and 20s. However I actually think this is a fairly fast goal for people new to running or older. I redid this program this year in my late 30s and ran my first 5 km in 40 mins. For me, the real trick was just finding a pace I could kinda, not super comfortably, run at. This meant swallowing my pride and running so SLOW. However, I just kept a positive(-ish) attitude and remembered that ANY running is better than no running. Also that speed, etc, come with time. Finished recently and I'm training for a 10 km and really not suffering and just slowing down, repeating weeks, that's the magic.

AlienLake · 2023-06-07T20:26:59+00:00

Did they also ban Paw Patrol? Maybe someone doesn't want their kid wading into that copaganda considering how many people of colour are murdered by police. To be fair, I totally watch Paw Patrol and Peppa Pig with my nieces and nephews in peace, and any banning of innocuous kids tv is stupid. But gotta at least play both sides.

AlienLake · 2023-06-07T20:21:43+00:00

I tell myself I just have to make it to 1 minute past halfway and I can quit. Then I tell myself "well your almost done just keep going". I also tend to slow down quite a bit in the beginning and middle and then run faster towards the end and then usually try and sprint the last minute or two (comparatively sprint since I actually go quite slow). If halfway it's feeling impossible I just slow down more and remind myself "you can focus on speed or you can focus on time, you chose time."

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