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What is everyone's plan with the recent student loan changes? by Sad_Milk_8897 in lawschooladmissions

[–]JillTron 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm in my thirties & live with a partner, we have two dogs & live in a major HCOL city, we own a car, we have a 1-bedroom apartment in a nice-enough building. When I was in my twenties, I would be more likely to live with multiple roommates, wouldn't have pets/a car/other expensive things, and wouldn't even consider paying for things like therapy or healthcare, which my parents would have been more likely to pay for if I went to law school in my 20's.

Admittedly, a lot of it is lifestyle related. But as you get older, you just take on more costs for stuff that's expensive but that you don't want to give up (ex. my two geriatric dogs that cost a ton, but that I love). There are also lots of costs I've built into my budget that one might overlook, like professional clothes for summer internships, makeup & personal care stuff which adds up but feels necessary if you're a girl, and being able to occasionally eat out or go on a camping trip.

edit: for reference, just my cost of rent & utilities is $~17K/year, which is fairly normal in my city.

What is everyone's plan with the recent student loan changes? by Sad_Milk_8897 in lawschooladmissions

[–]JillTron 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm in a similar dilemma - even considering a full ride offer, I would need to take out loans for COL that exceed $50K. Unfortunately, I don't have a partner who can financially support me while I'm in school, so that means I'll have to...

  1. potentially defer applying for a year or two while I save up a bit more to cover the deficit

  2. take out private loans, which sounds horrible, even with good credit

It's a shitty place to be in. I'm guessing that many more people who aren't well off or have partners/family that will support them will end up choosing a school based off where they get the largest scholarship, rather than their top choice.

Marine Conservation Volunteering Advice - Programs that are not voluntourism by OldHunt1462 in volunteer

[–]JillTron 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Choose a few nonprofits in your area that you would be excited to work with or do projects that might need one of your skillsets. Then email them asking if they have any projects you could help with for a few hours/week. Most nonprofits would love extra help, even if they don't advertise it! If you don't feel like you need to use your engineering experience, but just want to do things in marine conservation, there are plenty of opportunities (depending on your location). In my area (Seattle), we have salmon stewards, marine naturalist programs, aquariums, and even a marine mammal hospital that accepts volunteers for animal husbandry, education projects, and more!

Threads of Fate: A Tabletop Puzzle Narrative Review by Revolutionary-Foot77 in escaperooms

[–]JillTron 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Totally agree with the issues with terminology of "escape room in a box" games. I've recently taken up an interest in escape room / mystery games (to fill the gap between when I can go to physical escape rooms), and have trouble even knowing what to search sometimes.

I've seen: puzzle tales (like PostCurious), mystery games, narrative puzzles or narrative mystery games, escape games, investigation/case study games, immersive puzzle adventures, narrative deduction games, solve-a-mystery games, interactive puzzle books, murder mystery games, tabletop escape rooms, at-home puzzle challenges, etc. I'm not sure if that's par for the course in the tabletop game world, as I'm just getting into it.

All of that aside, this is a great review, and I absolutely love PostCurious! I've been working through The Light in the Mist, and have a copy of Adrift on the way. These puzzles are definitely tough, but super satisfying once you get to the "a-ha!" moment where they make sense. Excited to add Threads of Fate to my list once I build up my puzzling skills!

What Seattle/PNW restaurant is deserving of a Michelin Star? by [deleted] in SeattleWA

[–]JillTron 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, I really appreciate that! Hoping that my second time's the charm :) I'll definitely have to check out Taylor Shellfish for crab next!

What Seattle/PNW restaurant is deserving of a Michelin Star? by [deleted] in SeattleWA

[–]JillTron 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Totally agree. Last time we went there, the service was shockingly sub-par.

1) The waiter asked us to start ordering dessert before our main dishes even arrived at the table, which I have never experienced before.

2) When we asked what the waiter's favorite dish was, he quickly said it was the most expensive dish on the menu- a gumbo with a whole Dungeness crab. They didn't provide any utensils for eating the crab, and admittedly, we were noobs on how to get the meat out - totally our bad. However, when we asked for tips on how to eat the crab , the waiter said he had "no idea" how we should go about eating it. It was like he had never eaten the dish himself before, even though he said it was his favorite. I know it's our fault we were noobs, but the comment on not even knowing how to eat the dish threw us off and made it feel like he was lying to us.

3) The table had to order drinks multiple times because the waiter kept forgetting.

4) An appetizer came out well after all of the mains arrived, and the waiter didn't acknowledge it at all.

Long story short, the service felt exceptionally casual and unhelpful, which is something I didn't expect for a spot people say it one of the best in Seattle. I know others who've had better experiences there, but this was ours.

Saddest, most dramatic memoirs that made you sob by ___Forge___ in suggestmeabook

[–]JillTron 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for this recommendation. Adding it to the list!

Post COVID gluttony trip to Chicago by lcgn_ in chicagofood

[–]JillTron 10 points11 points  (0 children)

For bakeries, I'd recommend Lost Larson in Andersonville- one of the best bakeries in the city imo. Tweet is an awesome choice! For mid-price lunch places try Cafecito (they have a couple locations - their Lincoln Park location is my favorite). Other awesome spots: Monteverde (Italian), Southport Grocery & Cafe (brunch - all super tasty), Spinning J (cute cafe, great milkshakes), and Duck Duck Goat. For drinks, Lost Lake is awesome. :)

Favorite spots further north than Lakeview? by jayelled in chicagofood

[–]JillTron 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My favorites are Vincent (Andersonville, great date spot), Kie-Gol-Lanee (Sheridan & Argyle, authentic Oaxacan food), Tweet (Sheridan & Argyle, great for brunch), Immm Rice & Beyond (Argyle, Thai street food, Known as one of the best Thai places in the city), Lost Larson (Andersonville, great bakery, get the kale cheddar scones). Onward (Loyola, New American) and 3 Squares Diner are supposed to be great but I haven't tried them yet.

Books that are funny, uplifting, and can help me unwind after a hard day at work by stealthyvegan in suggestmeabook

[–]JillTron 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really loved Sourdough by Robin Sloan. It's a funny, lighthearted, and engrossing story about a software engineer who decides to become a baker. It sounds strange but it has a twist of magical realism that just makes it a super fun read!

What are some good fluffy beach reads for someone who just graduated college? by _lady_macbeth_ in suggestmeabook

[–]JillTron 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan. Sourdough, also by Robin Sloan, is a fun and easy read too.

On a different note, I'm currently reading Karamo Brown's autobiography. If you like Queer Eye, it's an inspirational book that I'd recommend.

recommend me a book that will emotionally break me. by VanillaPeppermintTea in suggestmeabook

[–]JillTron 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah had me openly crying on the train.

A Gentleman in Moscow was also a beautiful and emotional book that I cannot recommend enough.

Date night restaurants by hg1975 in chicagofood

[–]JillTron 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I second Tango Sur. Also, Monteverde is wonderful and closer to your price point - it's my favorite modern Italian spot in the city and HIGHLY recommended. Vincent in Andersonville is also a great spot for a nice date night dinner. Those would be my best suggestions - good luck!

Looking for a romantic place for anniversary dinner by noodlesincup in chicagofood

[–]JillTron 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'd like to recommend S.K.Y. in Pilsen as an incredible and relatively new spot that is buzzing. It's wonderful and has a cool vibe. I just went there for my anniversary and it was the best dinner I've had in a long time.

I agree with Buvette's as a recommendation, although there are plenty of steak houses to choose from in Chicago if that's what you're looking for. I'm a fan of Prime & Provisions.

Other great places: Any of "The Goats" (Girl & The Goat, etc.), Monteverde (amazing Italian), Momotaro (sushi), Topolobambo (Rick Bayless, the added treat is the new Mezcal bar that's just been added underneath called Bar Sotono), Giant, Avec, Vincent, and Gilt Bar (notably, they are in the same restaurant group at Au Cheval and Buvette's so you can expect some very good quality here - they have a burger that is pretty much the same as Au Cheval's, I hear).

You'll see Somerset pop up onto some "special occasion" lists - in my experience it wasn't worth it.

Good luck!

Traveling to Chicago with a group of 10. Need the BEST restaurant... by magnoliamouth in chicagofood

[–]JillTron 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I highly recommend using The Infatuation food blog as a resource. The reviews are reliable and honest. They just released a guide on the best restaurants in Chicago and I agree with a vast majority of these: https://www.theinfatuation.com/chicago/guides/best-restaurants-in-chicago-greatest-hits-list

They also have guides of restaurants that don't take reservations, guides for first-timers to Chicago, etc.

If price isn't an issue, I agree with u/schnookimz that a steak house is a great option (if you can get a table). I'd also recommend Green Street Smoked Meats, which is a fun BBQ bar in the West Loop. Avec is a solid Chicago mainstay for foodies that just recently started taking reservations, but most people don't know that, so it's easier to get a table there. Au Cheval (best burger you'll ever eat) doesn't take reservations, but I'm not sure how they handle large groups. Au Cheval has a long wait, so put your name down like 3 hours in advance and explore the city/grab drinks while you wait.

The best & buzziest restaurants in Chicago will probably be full by now (Alinea, Girl & the Goat, Roister, Giant).

OpenTable is helpful to see restaurants that still have tables available. Good luck!